*#^ 


LIBRARY  OF  PRlflCETON 


MAY   2  4  mi     i 


J 


ICAL  SEMINARY 


BS580.R8  T9  1855 

Tyng,  Stephen  H.  (Stephen 

Higginson),  1800-1885. 

Rich  kinsman.  The  history  of 

Ruth 

the  Moabitess. 


7/ 


&£- 


THE  RICH   KINSMAN. 


THE    HISTORY    OF 


^utl]   \\i  HUaHtm. 


BY 


STEPHEN  H.  TYNG,  D.D., 

acotoB    or   st.   geobge'b    ohttboh,  new  yokb. 


pcblishkd  by  the 

Protestant   Ei-iscopal    Society  for   the   Promotion    of 
Evangelical  Knowledge, 

No.  2  Bible  House,  Fourth  Ave.,  New- York. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1855, 

BY    STEPHEN    H.   TYNG, 

In  the  Clerk1  i  Office  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


LIBRARY  OF  PRINCETON  1 


MAY   2  4  2002 


THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


C  0  w  1 1  n  1 5  • 


Introduction .5 

I. — Book  of  Ruth 9 

II.— The  Wanderers 29 

III. — The  Awakening 54 

IV. — The  Promising  Commencement      .        .        .        .80 

V. — The  Painful  Separation 102 

VI.— True  Decision 125 

VII.— The  Faithful  Choice 151 

VIII.— The  Backslider's  Return 182 

IX.— The  Young  Convert 205 

X.— The  Rich  Kinsman         .        ...        .       .        .225 

XI.— The  Gleaner 244 

XII.— The  Welcome  Reception      .        .        .        .        .  2G9 
XIII.— The  Gracious  Approbation       .        .        .        .292 

XIV.— The  Happy  Discovery 316 

XV.— The  Place  of  Rest 336 

XVI.— The  Ftest-Fruits  of  Grace 356 

XVTL— Redemption  Proposed        ....  378 

XVIII. — Redemption  Accomplished    .       •       .       .       .  396 

XIX.— Redemption  Applied  .       •       .       .        .       .     41 1 


$ittrolurtt0ii. 


The  author  presents  this  work  in  the  hope 
that  it  wall  be  found  adapted  to  enlighten  the 
minds  of  the  young  in  some  of  the  great  sub- 
jects of  Scriptural  Instruction.  It  comprises  a 
course  of  lectures  delivered  to  the  youth  of  his 
congregation  on  the  afternoons  of  the  Lord's  day. 
Several  such  courses,  upon  various  biographies  of 
the  Scripture,  and  upon  other  portions  of  Scripture, 
applicable  as  useful  illustrations  of  Christian  truth 
and  Christian  duty,  he  has  also  given  to  his  youth- 
ful hearers.  It  has  been  the  great  object  of  all  these 
to  engage  and  interest  the  minds  of  the  young 
in  the  study  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  "Whether 
the  publication  of  this  one  course  will  be  consid- 
ered as  so  likely  to  be  useful  as  to  warrant  the 
preparation  for  similar  publication  of  either  of  the 
other  courses  referred   to,  will  be  decided  by  the 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

present  experiment.  The  author  has  been  kng 
impressed  with  the  feeling  that  neither  commen- 
taries nor  sermons  have  yet  made  that  simple 
and  practical  use  of  the  fullness  of  Scripture  truth 
for  which  it  is  adapted — perhaps  he  might  say  for 
which  it  is  designed.  The  young  mind  certainly 
can  be  interested  in  the  Word  of  God  as  a  book 
full  of  attraction  as  well  as  full  of  truth.  Who- 
ever can  be  made  in  any  degree  the  instrument 
of  leading  to  this  result  by  bringing  out  to  view 
the  real  attractions  of  the  Scripture,  confers  so 
far  an  invaluable  benefit  upon  others.  Nothing 
is  more  desirable  at  the  present  time  than  a 
complete  commentary  upon  the  Bible,  adapted  to 
such  an  end — a  commentary  that  should  avoid 
the  deep  ruts  of  mere  traditional  exposition,  and 
be  designed  to  exhibit  the  fullness  of  truth  and 
beauty  which  in  a  new  path  remain  yet  to  be 
explored  and  displayed.  Such  a  commentary  for 
our  Sunday-schools  would  be  a  priceless  gift.  To 
prepare  it,  however,  will  require  equal  acquaintance 
with  the  minds  and  wants  of  the  young,  and  with 
the  deep  and  exhaustless  treasures  of  the  Word  of 
God       The   author   does   not  pretend    to   the   full 


INTRODUCTION.  \U 

possession  of  either  of  such  attainments,  however 
truly  he  appreciates  their  importance  and  worth. 
But  may  not  others  be  induced  to  enter  upon 
this  field  of  untried  usefulness?  May  not  the 
ministry  be  generally  led  to  direct  their  minds 
and  study  more  to  the  great  purpose  of  preparing 
Scriptural  attractions  as  well  as  Scriptural  instruc- 
tion for  the  young?  If  the  present  work  should 
be  of  no  more  general  advantage,  the  author,  is 
perfectly  sure  that  to  his  own  beloved  flock  of 
youthful  hearers  it  will  be  acceptable,  and  will 
by  them  be  prized.  To  them,  therefore,  at  least, 
he  commits  it  without  fear,  and  with  the  affec- 
tionate prayer  for  a  Divine  blessing  upon  its  pre- 
cious  truths   among  them   all. 

s.  n.  t. 

St.  George's  Rectory, 

New  York,  March  1, 1856. 


I. 

Site  §««&  at  °g\\tb. 

I  B.\u  always  considered  this  one  of  the 
most  interesting  and  instructive  books  of  the 
Old  Testament.  It  is  full  of  precious  spirit- 
ual instruction.  It  preaches  a  glorious 
Saviour  for  the  lost  sinner.  It  describes  the 
sorrows  of  the  wanderer  from  God.  It  shows 
the  blessedness  of  the  sinner's  return  to 
Christ  ;  the  riches  and  bounty  of  the  Great 
Kedeemer  ;  and  the  fullness  of  love  and  mercy 
which  the  pardoned  rebel  finds  in  him.  All 
these  blessed  truths  are  exhibited  in  the  his- 
tory of  a  family  of  Israelites,  who  strayed  to 
the  land  of  Moab,  and  of  a  lovely  youthful 
convert  from  idolatry,  who  becomes  united  to 
them,  and  is  thus  led  to .  a  rich  kinsman, 


10  THE   RICH   KINSMAN.   • 

before  unknown  to  her,  and  in  whom  she 
finds  a  bountiful  and  faithful  Eedeemer. 

"We  have  the  story  of  her  return  from  idol- 
atry to  the  living  God,  of  her  first  acquaint- 
ance with  this  rich  kinsman,  of  her  union 
with  him  in  marriage,  of  her  peaceful  and 
happy  dwelling  with  him,  of  the  excellence 
of  her  own  character,  and  of  his  generous 
liberality  towards  her.  In  all  this,  we  have  a 
simple  and  faithful  preaching  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  to  us,  under  the  most  interest- 
ing and  attractive  shape.  He  is  our  ap- 
pointed Kinsman  and  Eedeemer,  who  has 
bought  and  ransomed  us  with  the  rich  price 
of  his  own  blood.  And,  when  we  are  brought 
back  to  him,  from  our  wandering  in  sin,  by 
the  converting  power  of  his  own  Spirit,  we 
enjoy  the  fullness  of  his  pardoning  love,  and 
he  becomes  united  to  us  in  an  everlasting 
covenant  never  to  be  forgotten.  This  is  the 
view  which  I  would  give  you  of  The  Book 
of  Kuth. 

Ruth  was  in  herself  a  beautiful  example 


THE   BOOK   OF   RUTH.  11 

of  virtue  and  personal  excellence,  in  every 
different  station  in  which  she  was  placed. 
We  see  her  a  homeless  wanderer,  and  we  see 
her  sheltered  in  a  happy  home  ;  we  see  her 
in  poverty,  and  we  see  her  in  wealth ;  we  see 
her  neglected,  and  we  see  her  caressed.  But 
we  see  her  at  all  times,  and  in  all  stations, 
the  same  faithful  and  beautiful  illustration 
of  female  loveliness,  purity,  and  benevolence. 
She  shines  before  us,  a  remarkable  instance 
of  the  power  of  Divine  grace.  It  was  this 
alone  which  renewed  her  heart,  and  made 
her  really  a  daughter  of  the  Lord  Almighty. 
She  became  a  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  was  thus  made  able  to  glorify  God  in 
her  body,  and  her  spirit,  which  were  his. 

She  was  an  interesting  example  of  the 
happiness  which  flows  from  a  true  and  faith- 
ful obedience  of  God.  True  religion  was  to 
her  the  source  of  every  earthly  as  well  as  of 
every  heavenly  joy.  Karely  is  a  character  so 
attractive  and  lovely  in  itself,  seen  in  the 
sinful  family  of  man.     And  under  this  aspect, 


12  THE   RICH   KINSMAN 

her  history  is  well  worthy  of  the  study  of  the 
young.  You  see  here  the  beauty  of  true 
piety  in  the  youthful  female  character.  Of 
one  instance  of  such  piety  the  eminent 
Bishop  Griswold  says,  in  a  record  of  his 
journal,  "  She  is  a  sensible  young  woman, 
possessed  of  beauty,  and  of  all  that  is  ami- 
able in  nature  and  by  education  ;  truly 
pious  ;  her  whole  soul  devoted  to  her  Saviour. 
She  reminds  me  of  the  celestial  inhabitants  ; 
she  seems  but  c  a  little  lower  than  the  an- 
gels/ What  mortal  state  can  imagination 
portray  so  nearly  resembling  that  of  those 
pure  intelligences,  as  the  character  and  life 
of  a  pious  young  female  ?" 

But  let  us  not  forget  she  was  made  thus 
attractive  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  Blessed 
Sanctifier  whom  the  Saviour  gives  to  all 
the  people  of  God.  He  is  the  guide  and 
teacher  of  all  who  love  God.  He  taught 
the  prophets  and  inspired  holy  men  to  write 
the  Scriptures.  And  he  renewed  and  sanc- 
tified  the  hearts  of  all  who  iru'v  believed 


THE    BOOK    OF    RUTH.  13 

God's  word,  in  ancient  times  as* well  as  in 
our  day.  It  was  lie  who  taught  Kuth  to 
believe  in  a  promised  Saviour,  and  enabled 
her  to  choose  and  to  obey  his  commands  , 
and  who  tLus  gave  her  the  beautiful  orna- 
ment of  a  meek  and  heavenly  temper.  This 
makes  her  character  an  example  to  the  young 
members  of  the  Saviour's  flock  in  every  age, 
because  the  same  Spirit  offers  to  bless  and 
sanctify  all  who  will  receive  him.  How 
happy  would  it  be,  for  every  daughter  of  the 
church,  to  follow  the  same  Lord,  under  the 
teaching  of  the  same  Divine  Spirit ! 

The  history  of  Kuth  is  also  a  very  instruct- 
ive instance  of  the  gracious  Providence  of 
God  over  all  who  truly  seek  him.  We  see 
her  giving  up  all  her  own  relations,  her  native 
land,  and  the  idolatry  of  her  fathers,  to  seek 
the  worship,  and  the  service  of  the  God  of 
Israel.  But  she  loses  nothing.  She  finds 
her  happy  recompense,  under  the  shadow  of 
his  wings  in  whom  she  had  come  to  put  her 
trust.     She  not  only  ieceives  the  rich  spirit- 


14  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

ual  blessings  which  are  the  gift  of  God  to 
those  who  seek  him,  but  she  has  also  all 
other  things  added  to  her  under  his  gracious 
care.  "  Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all 
things,  having  the  promise  of  the  life  that 
now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come."  This 
is  a  very  valuable  example  to  us,  whether  we 
think  of  her  own  conduct  in  obedience  to 
God,  or  of  the  goodness  and  love  of  God 
towards  her.  The  Holy  Spirit  gave  us  this 
book  to  be  a  witness  to  us,  that  God  will 
never  fail,  nor  forsake,  those  who  put  their 
trust  in  him.  Every  child  of  God  may  here 
learn,  never  to  doubt,  or  to  distrust,  that 
gracious  Saviour  who  has  promised  to  be  the 
everlasting  friend  of  all  who  seek  and  love 
him.  Great  will  be  the  blessing  to  you,  if 
you  shall  thus  be  taught  more  truly  to  seek 
and  to  trust  in  Jesus,  and  to  seek  your  shel- 
ter under  the  shadow  of  his  wing. 

The  history  of  Ruth's  personal  connection 
with  our  blessed  Lord,  in  his  human  nature, 
is  also  quite  worthy  of  your  notice.     She  and 


THE    BOOK    OF    RUTH.  1^ 

Rahab  were   the   only  two   Gentiles   in  the 
earthly  genealogy   of   our    Lord.      He    was 
pleased  to  take  the  nature  of  man  in  the 
family  which  descended  from  them.     He  was 
thus  "  not  the  God  of  the  Jews  only,  but  also 
of  the  Gentiles."     Ruth,  though  a  native  of 
Moab,  was  one  of  the  chosen  ancestors  of  the 
honored  line  of  David.     And  thus   Gentile 
blood  was  mingled  in  that  exalted  family, 
with  the  blood  of  Israel.     Thus  she  became 
personally  connected  with  the  Redeemer  of 
men.    From  her,  "  as  concerning  the  flesh, 
Christ  came,  who  is  over  all,  God  blessed  for 
ever."     What  a  special  interest  does  this  give 
to  her  character  and  history  for  us  !     All  our 
hopes   and   joys   are  resting  upon  the  real 
incarnation  and  manhood  of  this  glorious  and 
Divine  Saviour  ;  and  it  is  most  interesting  to 
us,  to  trace  back  the  connection  of  his  lowly 
humanity,  to  this  faithful  child  of  God,  who 
came  from  the  wilds  of  Moab,  to  seek  tho 
truth  and  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  God  of 
Israel. 


16  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

But  there  is  much  more  than  all  this  in 
the  history  of  Euth.  It  was  given  to  us  by 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  preach  a  Saviour's  love. 
The  Holy  Spirit  glorifies  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  by  taking  of  the  things  which  are  his, 
and  showing  them  unto  men.  He  does  this 
very  plainly  and  beautifully  in  the  history  of 
TCuth.  He  tells  us  here  very  much  of  Christ ; 
much  of  the  kingdom  of  his  grace,  as  well  as 
of  the  government  of  his  Providence.  He 
displays  the  riches  of  his  redeeming  love,  in  a 
very  attractive  manner ;  and  in  some  very 
important  and  instructive  illustrations.  He 
preaches  to  us  the  fullness  of  that  pardoning 
mercy,  which  is  exercised  by  the  Son  of  God, 
who  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,  that  he  might 
be  the  kinsman  and  husband  of  perishing 
sinners  ;  and  who,  when  he  had  redeemed 
them  by  his  death,  betrothed  them  unto  him- 
self, and  made  them  to  become  the  Bride, 
the  Lamb's  wife.  He  shows  us  here  the  way 
in  which  the  Saviour  brings  wandering  sin- 
ners back  to  himself,  receives  them  into  his 


THE    BOOK    OF    RUTH.  17 

family,  feeds  them  with  the  fullness  of  hia 
bounty,  exalts  them  into  an  everlasting  union 
with  himself,  gives  them  a  name  and  a  record 
among  the  generations  of  his  children,  and 
teaches  them  to  praise  and  glorify  him  for 
ever. 

All  these  precious  lessons  of  Gospel  truth 
the  Holy  Spirit  teaches  us,  in  the  history 
of  this  youthful  Moabitess.  And  he  thus 
preaches  the  Gospel  here  in  a  very  clear  and 
beautiful  way.  And  if  the  same  Spirit  shall 
graciously  teach  you  also,  you  may  be  led  to 
learn  here  the  love  of  Christ'  for  yourselves, 
your  own  need  of  such  a  Saviour,  and  the 
riches  of  his  wisdom  and  grace  in  your  salva- 
tion. This  is  the  blessed  and  all-important 
purpose  for  which  I  wish  you  to  study  the 
history  of  Euth. 

But  this  blessed  instruction  is  not  peculiar 
to  the  Book  of  Kuth.  It  is  to  be  found 
every  where  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. They  are  full  of  histories  which  are 
intended  to  lead  your  minds  and  hearts  to  the 


18  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

same  gracious  and  holy  Saviour.  They  all 
testify  of  Christ,  and  of  that  eternal  life 
which  is  to  be  found  in  him  alone.  It  must 
ever  be  your  aim  and  effort  to  gain  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  Saviour  from  them  all.  To 
obtain  this  knowledge  of  Jesus,  under  the 
teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  worth  all  the 
study  it  may  cost  you,  and  all  the  time  it 
may  require.  Seek  for  this  as  an  invaluable 
blessing.  Throughout  your  whole  Bible  try 
to  find  the  Saviour  speaking  to  you.  He  is 
every  where  in  it.  The  same  Spirit  has  writ- 
ten it  all.  And  in  every  part  of  it  he  waits 
to  teach  you  the  same  Gospel,  and  to  explain 
to  you  the  same  salvation.  The  more  ear- 
nestly you  study  the  sacred  Word,  praying  to 
him  to  enlighten  and  teach  you,  the  more 
clearly  will  you  see  this  one  subject  constant- 
ly before  you. 

It  is  this  "  teaching  and  preaching  Jesus 
Christ,"  which  makes  the  Bible  so  precious  to 
the  people  of  God,  in  every  generation,  and 
in  every  land.     They  read  of  their  Beloved 


THE    BOOK    OF    KUTH.  19 

Lord  in  every  part  of  it,  and  "  to  them  that 
believe,  he  is  precious."  If  you  shall  really 
find  a  Saviour  there,  it  will  he  equally  at- 
tractive and  precious  to  you.  Then  seek  him 
there.  Seek  the  guidance  of  his  Spirit,  that 
you  may  find  him.  Pray  for  Divine  teaching, 
"  the  unction  of  the  Holy  One."  When  you 
find  him,  embrace  him  with  delight,  as  your 
portion  for  ever.  Thus  the  patriarchs  and 
prophets  believed  in  him.  Thus  Kuth  be- 
lieved in  him.  Thus  all  the  ancient  saints 
believed  in  him.  They  rejoiced  in  looking 
forward  to  his  day  of  grace  and  glory.  Be 
ye  followers  of  them,  who,  through  faith  and 
patience,  obtained  the  promises.  Kejoice  to 
be  united  with  them  in  the  same  precious 
promises,  the  same  steadfast  faith,  the  same 
blessed  hope. 

The  Scriptures  of  the  Old  Testament  are 
a  rich  mine.  The  blessed  Saviour  is  the 
precious  gold  which  is  hidden  within  it. 
How  earnestly  ought  we  to  search  for  this 
pure  gold,  more  precious  than  the  gold  of 


20  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

Oi)hir.  Sometimes  it  lies  very  Dear  the  sur- 
face. As  they  speak  of  earthly  mines,  it 
"crops  out"  in  beautiful  exhibitions  of  its 
worth,  which  every  traveler  may  see.  Some- 
times it  lies  far  deeper,  and  requires  much 
skill  in  discovering  it,  and  much  persevering 
meditation  and  study  to  obtain  and  separate 
it.  But  the  gold  is  always  really  in  the 
mine.  And  it  will  always  prove  really  worth 
every  effort  which  you  may  make  to  get  it. 
If  you  gain  a  real  living  interest  in  the  glori- 
ous Saviour,  and  enjoy  the  peace  and  hope 
which  he  imparts,  you  will  feel  rewarded  a 
thousand-fold,  for  all  the  toil  his  service  costs. 
But  never  be  satisfied  with  your  study  of  the 
Bible,  until  you  really  understand  and  enjoy 
this  word  of  life. 

Many  years  ago  I  visited  a  friend  living  in 
the  valley  of  Wyoming,  on  the  Susquehanna 
river.  His  beautiful  farm  extended  back 
from  the  river  into  the  hills  which  bound  the 
valley.  In  examining  his  ground  among  the 
hills,  far  back  from  the  river,  he  discovered 


TEE    BOOK    OF    KUTH.  21 

the  cropping  out  of  coal  upon  the  hill-side 
He  knew  immediately  that  there  was  a  mine 
beneath.  But  instead  of  digging  just  where 
he  saw  the  coal,  his  scientific  skill  led  him  to 
calculate  "  the  dip"  of  the  mine  ;  that  is,  its 
inclination  or  slope.  Then  he  went  down  to 
the  edge  of  the  river,  and  began  to  dig  a 
canal  for  boats,  from  the  river  back  to  the 
hills.  Ignorant  men  wondered  at  such 
strange  labor.  They  almost  thought  him  in- 
sane. Why  should  a  man  dig  a  canal  from 
the  river  to  stop  at  the  foot  of  an  impassable 
mountain  ?  But  he  persevered  in  his  work 
without  explaining  his  design.  And,  when  he 
had  finished  his  plan,  and  they  saw  his  work 
completed,  the  worth  of  his  science  and  skill 
appeared,  and  they  were  glad  to  acknowledge 
it.  His  canal  stopped  at  the  face  of  a  beau- 
tiful vein  of  coal  which  dipped  toward  the 
river.  He  could  thus  take  out  his  coal  with 
boats  in  the  very  bosom  of  his  mine,  while  all 
the  water  from  the  mine  drained  into  the 
canal,  and  left  his  coal  dry.    The  same  skill- 


22  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

ful  plan  found  the  coal,  drained  the  mine, 
and  opened  his  coal  to  an  easy  transportation 
for  sale. 

The  Old  Testament  is  a  rich  mine  of  Gos- 
pel truth.  The  Gospel  lies  hidden  there  in 
all  its  fullness  and  worth.  The  Saviour  is  to 
be  found  under  all  the  types  and  histories 
which  are  there  contained.  It  is  your  privi- 
lege to  search  these  Scriptures  for  that 
knowledge  of  your  Saviour  which  is  eternal 
life.  These  types  and  histories  are  like  pic- 
tures of  our  blessed  Lord,  in  the  different 
parts  of  the  work  of  his  redemption  for  man, 
drawn  by  the  Holy  Spirit  for  man's  instruc- 
tion. The  Old  Testament  is  full  of  them, 
and  thus  full  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ.  0 
that  I  could  persuade  my  young  friends  to 
search  for  this  knowledge  ;  to  feel  and  to  say, 
"Howl  love  Thy  word!  it  is  dearer  to  me 
than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver."  Never  be 
contented  with  your  study  of  any  part  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  until  you  find  yourself 
growing  under  its  instruction,  in  the  knowl- 


THE    BOOK   OF    RUTH.  23 

edge   and  love   of   your  Lord  and   Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 

The  Holy  Scriptures  are  a  deep,  pure  sea. 
The  Saviour  is  the  pearl  of  great  price  which 
lies  at  the  bottom  of  the  deep.  Perhaps 
many  may  search  there  and  not  find  it.  In 
some  particular  effort  you  may  for  a  time 
search  in  vain.  But  if  you  persevere  in  your 
search,  you  will  surely  find  at  last  the  pearl 
you  seek.  And  then  it  will  repay  you  for  all 
your  toil.  You  will  cheerfully  sell  all  that 
you  have  to  buy  it.  All  that  you  can  desire 
is  not  to  be  compared  to  it. 


"  The  world  its  fancied  pearl  may  crave, 
'Tis  not  the  pearl  for  me, 
'Twill  dim  its  lustre  in  the  grave, 

'Twill  perish  in  the  sea. 
But  there 's  a  pearl  of  price  untold, 
That  never  can  be  bought  with  gold, 
The  sinking  soul  'twill  save : 
0,  that's  the  pearl  for  me." 


This  is  the  pearl  I  would  have  you  find  in 
the  history  of  Kuth.  "What  can  it  teach  me 
of  Christ?     What  will  it  show  me  of  tho 


24  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

way  of  his  salvation,  or  of  the  blessings  and 
privileges  which  he  bestows  upon  his  people  ? 
This  is  the  great  object  of  our  study  here.  I 
might  justly  say,  this  is  the  only  really  great 
and  important  object  of  life  itself.  We  never 
really  know  how  to  live  until  we  can  say, 
"  for  me  to  live  is  Christ."  "Wise  and  happy 
will  you  be  to  part  with  every  thing  beside,  if 
you  may  win  him  as  your  portion,  your  ever- 
lasting inheritance. 

This  pearl  here  lies  before  you  in  the 
clearest  sea.  This  pure  gold  is  here  scattered 
before  you  in  every  part  of  the  field.  You  may 
gather  durable  riches  here  with  great  delight, 
with  little  labor,  and  without  weariness  in 
the  effort.  If  the  Holy  Spirit  be  pleased  to 
teach  you,  you  will  see  the  marks  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  often  before  you,  as  you  think  on  that 
which  he  has  been  pleased  to  write  for  you 
here.  0  that  he  may  write  it  all  on  the  liv- 
ing tables  of  your  hearts,  and  give  you  of  the 
hidden  treasures  of  his  grace,  which  are  here 
laid  up  !     Then  will  your  study  of  this  inter- 


THE    BOOK    OF    RUTH.  25 

esting  book  be  happy  and  useful.  The  Sa- 
viour will  come  to  dwell  with  you.  You  will 
find  your  refuge  and  shelter  with  him.  It 
will  help  to  prepare  you  to  dwell  with  him  in 
the  kingdom  of  his  glory.  It  will  teach  you 
to  join  in  that  heavenly  song  which  all  the 
justified  children  of  his  grace  sing  for  ever 
unto  him.  Happy,  happy  will  you  be,  to 
make  your  choice  like  Kuth's,  and  like  her  to 
find  an  everlasting  home  in  your  Great  Kins- 
man's heavenly  habitation. 


'  Let  Pleasure  chant  her  syren  song ! 

'Tis  not  the  song  for  me ; 
To  weeping  it  will  turn  ere  long, 

For  this  is  Heaven's  decree. 
But  there's  a  song  the  ransom'd  sing, 
To  Jesus,  their  exalted  King, 

With  joyful  heart  and  tongue : 
0  that 's  the  sons:  for  me." 


Ah,  my  dear  young  friends,  try  to  learn 
that  heavenly  song  with  all  the  redeemed  of 
God.  Choose  your  part  and  portion  in  Christ, 
that  his  Spirit  may  teach  you  his  truth,  to 
love  his  service,  to  follow  his  commands,  and 
2 


26  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

to  walk  in  his  steps.  This  will  be  a  constar  t 
education  for  that  glorified  state,  and  an  in- 
creasing acquaintance  with  its  everlasting 
joys,  where,  with  Kuth  the  Moabitess,  and 
all  the  chosen  family  of  God,  you  shall  have 
your  inheritance  for  ever. . 

There  is  no  more  important  instrument  for 
the  attainment  of  this  end,  than  your  habit- 
ual and  earnest  study  of  the  Word  of  God. 
Try  to  write  its  truths  upon  your  memory, 
and  imprint  its  principles  upon  your  hearts. 
Let  no  day  of  life  pass  without  the  sincere 
study  of  some  portion  of  this  Divine  revela- 
tion from  God  to  man.  Neglect  no  part  of 
it.  Every  word  of  God  is  good.  The  word 
of  the  Lord  is  perfect.  Let  it  convert  your 
souls.  If  any  portion  seems  difficult  or  bar- 
ren, it  will  only  require  the  more  earnest  and 
careful  thought.  As  your  years  go  by,  its 
habitual  study  will  open  new  pleasures,  and 
give  new  delights.  Still  brighter  light  will 
shine  upon  its  pages.  Still  clearer  and  deep- 
er truth  will  be  laid  open  before  your  view. 


THE   BOOK    OF    RUTH.  27 

0  learn  to  love  your  Bible  more.  It  will  be 
your  inseparable  treasure.  You  may  carry  it 
wherever  you  go.  You  may  enjoy  it  wher- 
ever you  are.  You  may  feed  upon  it  in 
health,  and  it  will  be  your  consolation  in 
sickness.  Its  blessed  instructions  will  en- 
lighten your  minds,  and  strengthen  your 
hearts  for  every  study  and  duty  in  life.  Its 
precious  words  of  life  will  still  dwell  in  your 
memory,  and  cheer  your  hopes,  in  the  last 
hours  of  your  earthly  day.  "When  every 
thing  outward  has  faded  away,  these  blessed 
promises  and  truths  will  shine  around  you, 
like  stars  in  midnight  darkness,  and  make 
you  feel  never  less  alone  than  when  you  seem 
to  have  been  cut  off  from  all  whom  you  have 
known  and  loved  on  earth. 

Come,  then,  my  dear  young  friends,  let  us 
search  this  heavenly  mine,  in  the  beautiful 
vein  which  the  story  of  Kuth  opens  to  our 
view,  and  there  try  to  find  and  love  the  gra- 
cious Saviour  whom  Kuth  so  really  found  and 
so   truly  loved.      Let  us  go  into  the   clear 


28  THE   BICH   KINSMAN. 

depths  of  this  heavenly  sea,  and  try  to  obtain 
the  blessed  pearl  of  price  for  which  Kuth 
counted  every  thing  else  but  loss.  Then  will 
you  say,  from  the  abiding  enjoyment  of  your 
own  hearts,  "all  the  things  that  may  be 
desired  are  not  to  be  compared  to  this. 
Dearer  to  us  than  thousands  of  gold  and 
silver,  yea,  than  life  itself,  is  that  Divine 
Eedeemer  whom  we  have  chosen  for  ourselves, 
as  all  our  righteousness  and  our  heritage  for 


II. 

flu  Miutiijms. 


Kow  it  came  to  pass  in  the  days  when  the  Judges  ruled,  that  there 
was  a  famine  in  the  land.  And  a  certain  man  of  Bethlehem  Judab 
went  to  sojourn  in  the  country  of  Moab,  he,  and  his  wife,  and  his  two 
sons.  And  the  name  of  the  man  was  Elimelech,  and  the  name  of  his 
wife  Naomi,  and  the  name  of  his  two  sons  Mahlon  and  Chilion,  r  phi  a- 
thites  of  Bethlehem  J  udah.  And  they  came  into  the  country  of  Moab, 
and  continued  there.  And  Elimelech,  Naomi's  husband,  died ;  and 
she  was  left,  and  her  two  sons.  And  they  took  them  wives  of  the 
women  of  Moab ;  the  name  of  the  one  was  Orpah,  and  the  name  of 
the  other  was  Euth ;  and  they  dwelled  there  about  ten  years.  And 
Mahlon  and  Chilion  died,  also,  both  of  them ;  and  the  woman  was 
left  of  her  husband  and  her  two  sons." — Eutii,  i.  1-5. 


Thus  the  history  of  Ruth  begins  with  a 
story  of  wanderers  from  God.  It  is  a  sad, 
but  not  a  strange  commencement.  A  family 
of  Israelites  are  dwelling  together  in  their 
native  land;  and  the  first  knowledge  we  have 
of  their  particular  history,  is  the  knowledge 
of  their  folly.     They  went   from   the  land 


30  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

of    Israel,    to    sojourn    in    the    country    of 
Moab. 

Why  did  they  wander,  and  thus  leave  the 
home  of  their  fathers  ?  The  answer  given  is, 
"  there  was  a  famine  in  the  land."  God  had 
sent  upon  them  a  temporary  trouble,  and 
they  fled  from  it.  But  when  God  chastens 
us  in  his  wisdom,  our  duty  is  to  yield  with 
contentment  and  submission.  "We  should 
hear  the  rod,  and  Him  who  hath  appointed  it. 
When  we  patiently  yield  to  his  merciful 
chastisements,  they  become  our  most  precious 
blessings.  For  the  present  they  are  not  joy- 
ous, but  grievous.  But  they  produce  for  us 
the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness  in  the 
end,  if  we  are  properly  exercised  thereby. 
But  trouble  produced  no  peaceable  fruits  to 
the  family  with  whose  story  this  book  begins. 
Instead  of  contentment,  submission,  and 
more  affectionate  obedience,  we  see  a  spirit 
of  discontent  and  repining,  which  is  allowed 
to  drive  them  from  their  home  into  a  strange 
land. 


THE    WANDEKEBS.  31 

"  There  was  a  famine  in  the  land/'  and 
they  fled  from  it.  Temporary  suffering  made 
their  home  for  a  little  while  uncomfortable, 
and  they  could  not  patiently  endure  the  will 
of  God.  It  was  their  own  land.  It  was  their 
father's  land.  It  was  the  Lord's  land.  Their 
family  and  friends  were  there.  But  there 
was  a  season  of  famine  there,  and  therefore 
they  would  fly  to  some  other  land.  But  why 
should  they  fly  ?  The  next  season  might  be 
better,  and  more  than  repay  them  for  the 
losses  of  the  present.  The  famine  might  fol- 
low them  to  the  land  whither  they  went,  and 
make  their  sufferings  greater  there  than  at 
home.  When  Socrates  was  urged  by  his 
friends  to  escape  from  the  prison  where  he 
was  condemned  to  die,  he  answered  them, 
"  Tell  me  of  a  land  where  men  do  not  die, 
and  I  will  escape  to  that/'  How  much  better 
might  this  family  have  found  a  quiet  submis- 
sion to  the  will  of  God  !  But  no — a  dead  fly 
spoils  the  ointment  of  the  apothecary.  A 
single  trouble  makes  men  forget  a  thousand 


82  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

blessings.  A  solitary  want  will  blot  out  the 
grateful  memory  of  innumerable  comforts. 
"  There  is  a  famine  in  the  land/'  and  ihey 
have  determined  to  remove. 

What  an  illustration  this  is,  of  sinful,  fool* 
ish  man  !  Adam  had  all  the  garden  of  Eden. 
He  might  freely  eat  of  every  tree  of  the  gar- 
den. There  was  enough,  and  more  than 
enough  to  make  him  entirely  satisfied  and 
happy.  But  there  was  one  prohibition,  a 
single  restraint,  one  tree  of  which  he  must 
not  eat.  And  for  this  how  easily  he  was 
tempted  to  feel  that  there  was  a  famine  in 
the  land  !  An  injustice  was  done  to  him,  he 
thought,  and  he  must  not  yield  to  such  an 
arbitrary  restraint.  Discontented,  rebellious, 
repining  thoughts  were  stirred  up  in  his  mind 
toward  God.  And  he  was  persuaded  to  eat, 
though  God  had  said  "  thou  shalt  not  eat." 
One  single  restraint  made  him  a  voluntary 
wanderer  from  God. 

How  easily  have  all  who  have  descended 
from  him  rebelled  an.l  wandered  since  !     In- 


THE    WANDERERS.  33 

stead  of  submitting,  enduring,  loving,  hoping 
still,  when  God  is  pleased  to  restrain  and  cor- 
rect us,  we  constantly  try  to  run  from  his  con- 
trol ;  we  refuse  to  have  him  to  reign  over  us. 
Like  wandering  birds  driven  from  their  nest. 
Like  wandering  stars  rushing  into  darkness. 
Like  waves  of  the  sea,  driven  of  the  wind, 
and  tossed.  Thus  we  wander  in  sin,  we  know 
not  where,  we  know  not  to  what.  Forsaking 
the  fountain  of  living  waters,  we  hew  out  to 
ourselves  broken  cisterns,  that  can  hold  no 
water.  But  can  we  ever  find  happiness  in 
running  away  from  God  ?  Is  there  any  hap- 
piness but  in  a  cheerful,  filial  submission  to 
God? 

See  where  this  wandering  from  God  begins 
— in  a  spirit  of  rebellion  and  discontent.  0 
be  ye  watchful,  there.  Be  ready,  my  dear 
young  friends,  to  hear  and  to  do  the  will  of 
God.  In  the  midst  of  your  trials  remember 
his  mercies.  When  there  seems  to  be  a  fam- 
ine in  your  land  call  to  mind  the  loving-kind- 
ness of  the  Loid.     The  more  he  chastens  you, 


34  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

cling  to  nini  the  more  closely.  Try  to  live 
still  more  completely  at  his  gracious  feet,  and 
in  an  affectionate  dependence  on  his  promised 
presence  and  aid.  Let  him  be  your  hiding 
place  and  shield  ;  and  be  still,  and  know  that 
he  is  God.  • 

But  who  were  these  wanderers  whose  story 
we  have  before  us  ?  They  were  a  family  of 
Israelites,  of  professed  believers  in  the  Word 
of  God.  There  is  no  aspect  of  sin  more  pain- 
ful than  that  in  which  it  appears  connected 
with  the  privileges  of  men.  Never  does  sin 
seem  to  be  more  dreadful  than  when  man's 
ingratitude  is  contrasted  with  God's  mercies. 
How  often  the  gracious  Lord  appeals  to  men 
on  this  ground  !  "  What  could  have  been 
done  more  to  my  vineyard,  that  I  have  not 
done  in  it  ?  Wherefore  when  I  looked  that 
it  should  bring  forth  grapes,  brought  it  forth 
wild  grapes  ?"  "  0,  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem, 
which  killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them 
that  are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would  I 
have  gathered  thy  children  together,  as  a  hen 


THE    WANDERERS.  35 

doth  gather  her  brood  under  her  wings,  and 
ye  would  not  \"  It  is  sad  enough  to  see  any 
of  the  children  of  men  buried  in  sin.  But  to 
see  children  who  have  been  brought  up  in  the 
sanctuary,  children  of  pious  parentage,  chil- 
dren for  whom  faith,  and  piety,  and  prayer 
have  watched,  children  whose  early  youth  has 
been  dedicated  to  God,  and  nurtured  in  his 
church  ;  to  see  these  go  astray,  and  throw  off 
all  the  restraints  which  have  been  so  merci- 
fully spread  around  them  ;  to  see  them  rush 
into  sin,  away  from  God,  away  from  hope, 
away  from  eternal  life — this  is  the  saddest 
sight  which  earth  presents  to  a  Christian's 
mind.  "Well  may  a  pious  father  cry  out  with 
David,  "  0  Absalom,  my  son,  my  son !" 
Well  may  a  godly  mother  weep  like  Kachel 
over  children  who  are  dead  in  sin ;  or  ex- 
claim, like  the  mother  of  Lemuel,  "What, 
my  son  !  and  what,  the  son  of  my  vows  \" 
over  beloved  children  like  these,  wandering 
off  from  God,  and  holiness,  to  sin,  and  ruin, 
and  despair  ! 


36  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

How  exalted  in  blessings  was  the  man  who 
first  wandered  from  God  !  Every  comfort  for 
his  body  and  his  soul  was  his.  God  walked 
with  him  in  the  garden,  and  delighted  in  the 
work  of  his  hands.  And  yet  man  rebelled 
and  became  an  outcast.  And  is  not  every 
wanderer  from  God  richly  endowed  with  di- 
vine mercies  ?  You  are  never  straitened  in 
God.  You  have  all  things  and  abound  in 
him.  He  is  rich  in  his  mercy  to  you  all. 
Why  should  you  wander  ?  How  mournful  is 
that  divine  exclamation,  "I  have  nourished 
and  brought  up  children,  and  they  have  re- 
belled against  me  !"  "  A  son  honoreth  his 
father,  and  a  servant  his  master.  If  then  I 
be  a  father,  where  is  mine  honor  ?  And  if  I 
be  a  master,  where  is  my  fear  ?" 

This  wandering  in  our  story  was  wholly 
unnecessary.  These  Israelites  were  not  poor 
and  perishing.  They  "  went  out  full."  Their 
wandering  was  therefore  wilful,  and  this  made 
it  the  more  rebellious  and  guilty.  But  is  not 
all  wandering  from  God  unnecessary  ?     Why 


THE    WANDERERS.  37 

need  we  ever  go  astray  from  him  ?  It  will 
be  always  a  solemn  charge  against  us,  "  they 
went  out  full/'  It  is  the  wandering  which 
makes  us  empty.  The  poor  prodigal  went 
out  full.  "Father,"  said  he,  "give  me  the 
portion  of  goods  that  falleth  to  me."  "And 
the  father  divided  unto  them  his  living."  Is 
it  not  so  with  us  all  ?  Are  we  not  dwelliDg 
in  the  midst  of  Divine  mercies  from  the  day 
we  are  born  ?  If  we  go  away  from  God,  our 
own  heedlessness  or  choice  is  the  fountain 
of  our  guilt  and  sorrow.  Why  need  wc 
wander  ? 

Some  years  since,  a  young  man  entered 
alone  into  the  catacombs  of  Home.  He  tied 
a  thread  at  the  entrance,  and  kept  the  ball  in 
Ms  hand ;  and  though  he  had  no  guide  in 
the  dark  and  intricate  passages,  he  took  with 
him  a  torch,  and  wandered  on,  feeling  no 
fear.  Far  under  ground,  he  wandered  about 
these  dark  ways,  and  examined  with  delight 
the  monuments  and  inscriptions  which  abound- 
ed on  every  side.    He  stopped  to  copy  many 


38  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

of  these  inscriptions  in  his  Look.  But  in 
copying  one  he  accidentally  put  out  his  torch, 
and  lost  his  thread.  Ah,  there  he  was,  in 
midnight  darkness,  and  entirely  alone.  He 
shouted  aloud,  hut  there  was  none  to  hear. 
He  groped  about  on  the  ground  to  find  his 
thread,  hut  in  vain.  He  wandered  around 
the  mazes  of  these  winding  passages,  to  find 
his  way  hack  to  the  entrance,  hut  it  was  im- 
possible. In  fear,  distress,  and  weariness,  at 
last  he  fell  down  and  fainted  away.  In  his 
unconscious  agony  he  clenched  the  earth  with 
his  hand,  and,  when  he  came  to  himself,  he 
found  his  thread  within  it.  He  sprang  up 
with  delight.  He  followed  back  his  guiding 
thread.  He  stopped  to  look  at  nothing  by 
the  way.  Soon  he  saw  the  dim  light,  and 
came  to  the  entrance  of  the  catacomb,  and  to 
the  outward  air  again.  Wearied,  and  grate- 
ful for  his  life  restored,  he  knelt  upon  the 
ground,  and  gave  thanks  to  his  merciful,  pre- 
serving God. 

He  lost  his  thread — he  lost  his  light — and 


THE    WANDERERS.  39 

the  journey,  which  was  safe  and  happy  "before, 
is  wretched  and  despairing  now. 

"  Brave  and  alone  lie  cherishes  his  light, 
And  trust3  his  clew  will  guide  him  hack  aright. 
Onward  he  goes,  nor  takes  a  note  of  time, 
Impelled,  enchanted  in  this  dismal  clime. 
Thrilling  with  awe,  hut  yet  untouched  by  fear, 
He  passes  on,  from  dreary  unto  drear ; 
The  crypts  diverge,  the  labyrinths  are  crossed, 
He  will  return, — alas  !  his  clew  is  lost. 

He  gropes,  hut  gropes  in  vain, 
Recedes,  advances,  and  turns  hack  again. 
A  shivering  fear,  a  downright  terror  next, 
Seizes  his  soul,  and  he  is  sore  perplexed  ! 
He  halts,  he  nerves,  he  thinks  he  rushes  on, 
But  only  finds  that  issue  there  is  none. 
But  hark  I  a  step !  alas,  no  step  is  there  ! 
But  see  !  a  glimmering  light !  0  foul  despair  I 
No  ray  pervades  this  darkness  grim  and  rare. 
He  staggers,  reels,  and  falls,  and  falling  prone, 
Grapples  the  ground  where  he  must  die  alone. 
But  in  that  fall  touches  his  outstretched  hand 
That  precious  clew  the  labyrinth  can  command. 
Long  lost,  hut  now  regained ! 
And  up  he  rises,  quick,  hut  cautious  grown, 
He  threads  the  mazes  by  that  string  alono : 
Comes  into  light,  and  feels  the  fanning  breeze, 
Sees  the  bright  stars,  and  drops  upon  his  knees. 
His  first  free  breath  is  uttered  in  a  prayer, 
Such  as  none  say  who  have  not  known  despair ; 
And  never  had  the  earth  such  rich  perfume, 
As  when  from  him  it  chased  the  odor  of  the  tomb." 

Your  guiding  thread   and    light   are   the 


40  THE   KICH   KINSMAN. 

Word  and  Spirit  of  God.  The  one  is  put 
into  your  hands  to  teach  you  the  love  of 
Christ,  and  the  w.<«y  to  life  eternal.  By  it, 
the  Blessed  Spirit  would  keep  you  from  wan- 
dering, and  lead  you  to  serve  and  honor  your 
glorious  Lord.  If  you  lose  it  amidst  the  dark 
passages  of  a  sinful  world,  it  is  possible  that- 
you  may  recover  it  again.  If  you  wander 
from  its  directions  it  is  possible  you  may  be 
brought  back  again.  But  why  will  you  try 
the  hazardous  experiment  ?  "Why  need  you 
lose  your  thread  at  all  ?  Why  should  you 
not  bind  it  to  the  cradle  of  your  childhood, 
and  then  hold  it  and  keep  it  all  the  way 
through  life  ?  Why  may  you  not  hide  this 
blessed  Word  in  your  hearts,  from  your  ear- 
liest youth,  and  never  allow  it  to  be  plucked 
from  you  ?  Why  need  you  stray  in  sinful 
rebellion  when  God  has  so  richly  furnished 
you  with  the  blessings  of  his  grace,  and  per- 
mitted you  to  come  behind  in  no  gift  ?  You 
can  never  excuse  your  sinful  wanderings,  as 
if  they  were  not  to  be  avoided.     0  no  !     You 


THE    WANDERERS.  41 

grieve  the  Holy  Spirit ;  you  do  always  resist 
the  Holy  Ghost.  You  despise  his  love.  You 
quench  his  blessed  influences  upon  youi 
hearts,  in  every  wandering  from  God.  He 
cries  after  you  in  his  Holy  Word,  "  Why  will 
ye  die  ?"  He  warns  you  against  all  your 
sinful  carelessness  and  disobedience.  "  What 
will  ye  do  in  the  end  thereof,  for  the  end  of 
these  things  is  death  ?" 

From  whence  did  these  Israelites  wander  ? 
It  was  from  the  Lord's  own  land,  Immanuel's 
land.  It  was  from  the  whole  company  of  his 
people.  It  was  from  the  midst  of  the  privi- 
leges of  Divine  revelation.  It  was  from 
Bethlehem,  "the  house  of  bread."  Beth- 
lehem was  a  fertile  and  productive  spot.  In 
its  fields  Boaz  gathered  his  abundant  har- 
vests. In  its  valleys  David  tended  his  father's 
flock.  Within  its  gates  a  valued  spring  sent 
forth  its  refreshing  stream.  But  Bethlehem 
had  a  higher  glory.  It  was  the  appointed 
birthplace  of  the  Saviour  of  Israel.  Out  of 
Bethlehem  He  was  to  come  who  was  to  be  the 


42  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

Ruler  of  the  people  of  God  for  ever,  whose 
goings  forth  were  from  everlasting.  In  Beth- 
lehem He  was  born,  who  is  the  real  "  bread 
of  God"  which  giveth  life  to  the  world.  How 
many  blessed  thoughts  and  privileges  center 
around  our  remembrance  of  Bethlehem ! 
And  it  was  from  Bethlehem  that  this  discon- 
tented family  wandered,  not  knowing  whither 
they  went.  It  was  a  hasty,  foolish  wandering 
from  a  happy  home. 

We  will  not  call  every  journey  a  wander- 
ing. It  depends  upon  whence  we  came,  and 
whither  we  go,  and  under  whose  direction  we 
move.  Abraham  journeyed  from  Chaldea  to 
Canaan.  But  he  was  no  wanderer.  God 
guided  and  preserved  him,  and  every  step 
was  taken  in  obedience  to  Divine  command. 
Jacob  went  down  from  Canaan  to  Egypt. 
But  this  was  no  wandering.  God  directed 
him,  and  sent  his  beloved  Joseph  before  him, 
to  make  provision  for  him.  Israel  came 
through  the  wilderness  to  Canaan  again. 
But  even  here  they  were  no  wanderers.     The 


THE    WANDERERS.  43 

Lord  went  before  them  in  a  pillar  of  cloud 
and  fire,  to  guide  and  protect  them.  These 
were  not  wanderings.  But  Jonah  wandered. 
When  God  sent  him  to  Nineveh,  he  fled  to 
Tarshish.  And  God  arrested  him  in  the 
deep,  and  brought  him  back  Manasseh 
wandered.  And  he  was  taken  in  the  thorns, 
and  bound  with  fetters,  till,  in  the  day  of  his 
affliction,  he  sought  the  Lord,  and  was  for- 
given. Demas  wandered.  From  a  love  of 
this  present  world,  he  forsook  his  master,  and 
returned  no  more.  Judas  wandered.  And 
how  fearful  was  his  end,  when  he  went  to  his 
own  place  ! 

This  is  the  wandering  of  which  we  have  to 
speak.  It  is  a  wandering  from  God,  from  his 
Spirit,  from  hio  Word,  from  his  Church.  It 
is  a  wandering  from  that  blessed  Gospel 
which  preaches  a  Saviour  for  sinners,  which 
opens  and  provides  a  house  of  bread,  and  a 
perfect  shelter  in  him  for  the  needy  and  the 
perishing.  Thus  do  multitudes  wander,  liv- 
ing' in  sin,  without  Grod,  and  without  hope. 


44  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

But  why  need  they  wander  ?  Are  they  not 
all  bought  with  a  price  ?  Are  they  not  all 
redeemed  by  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus;  the 
Lamb  without  spot  ?  Can  any  of  them  say, 
"  The  door  of  mercy  was  not  opened  to  me  ?" 
Dare  they  say,  there  is  no  propitiation  for 
their  sins  ?  no  way  for  them  to  love  or  serve 
God  ?  None  can  say  so  with  truth.  Beth- 
lehem is  still  open  for  you  all.  The  Saviour 
still  entreats  you.  His  salvation  is  still  freely 
offered  to  you.  This  is  true  of  you  all. 
Whosoever  goes  astray  from  God,  voluntarily 
leaves  the  salvation  which  has  been  pro- 
vided for  him,  and  makes  it  his  condemnation 
that  he  has  loved  darkness  rather  than  light, 
because  his  ways  are  evil.  Of  every  uncon- 
verted sinner  it  must  be  said,  that  he  is  a 
voluntary  wanderer  from  God. 

But  there  are  many  wanderers  from  God  in 
a  very  peculiar  sense.  They  go  from  the  very 
midst  of  his  family,  from  Bethlehem  itself, 
where  Jesus  is.  They  were  born  in  his 
church.     They  were  early  dedicated  to  him  in 


THE    WANDERERS.  45 

his  holy  sacrament.  They  were  taught  His 
Word,  and  named  and  registered  among  the 
number  of  his  covenant  people.  They  might 
have  lived  always  at  his  feet,  and  in  his 
favor.  But  they  left  Bethlehem  in  rebellious 
discontent.  They  wandered  away  from  the 
voice  of  prayer,  and  of  Divine  instruction,  to 
the  haunts  of  vice,  and  the  abodes  of  shame. 
The  prodigal  "  gathered  all  together,  and 
took  his  journey  into  a  far  country,  and  there 
wasted  his  substance  in  riotous  living."  It  is 
a  fearful  thing  to  see  Satan  thus  spoiling  and 
plundering  the  nursery  of  the  Lord.  If  we 
should  say  to  many  a  wanderer  in  the  basest 
sin,  "  From  whence  comest  thou  ?"  how  often 
would  he  have  to  reply,  "  I  came  from  the 
house  of  God  ;  I  came  from  the  bosom  of  lov- 
ing, praying  parents  ;  I  came  from  a  family 
of  faithful  prayer ;  I  had  the  mark  of  the 
Lord  on  my  infant  forehead  ;  I  was  early 
taught  his  blessed  word.  But  sinners  enticed 
me,  and  I  consented.  My  soul  has  trodden 
down  the  Lord's  strength.     I  have  despised 


46  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

and  grieved  his  holy  Spirit.  I  have  plunged 
from  the  very  rock  of  grace  into  the  deep 
abyss  of  all  iniquity."  Ah,  what  a  retrospect 
is  this  !  What  bitter  memories  do  all  out 
wanderings  from  the  house  of  God,  and  from 
the  living  bread  of  the  Gospel,  bring  at  last  ! 
Whither  did  these  Israelites  wander  ?  To 
"  the  country  of  Moab ;"  to  a  land  of  idol- 
atry ;  a  land  of  open  licentiousness  and  crime. 
It  was  here  that  Balak  tried  to  destroy  IsraeL 
It  was  here  that  Balaam  taught  him  to  cor- 
rupt them  with  sensuality  and  open  pollution. 
And  yet  hither,  to  this  wretched,  denied  land, 
so  hostile  to  God  and  to  his  people,  this  wan- 
dering family  from  Bethlehem  came.  What 
a  contrast  of  places  was  this !  What  a 
change  of  condition  to  them  !  What  though 
bread  were  abundant  there  !  "  Fullness  of 
bread  like  that  in  Sodom  \"  Man  does  not 
live  by  bread  alone.  And  who  that  truly 
loved  God,  would  not  rather  live  with  a  fam- 
ine in  Bethlehem,  than  with  sinful  abundance 
in  Moab  ? 


THE    WANDERERS.  47 

Mere  territorial  Moab  still  lies'on  the  east- 
ern side  of  Jordan  and-  the  Dead  Sea.  But 
there  is  an  equivalent  spiritual  Moab  every 
where.  The  guilty  world  in  which  we  dwell 
furnishes  a  Moab,  in  all  its  provisions  of 
gratifications  for  the  flesh,  and  all  its  tempta- 
tions to  vicious  indulgence,  in  every  land. 
We  need  never  go  far  to  sojourn  in  Moab. 
Its  crimes  and  its  enjoyments,  its  hostility  to 
the  Saviour  and  to  his  people,  are  always  in 
our  view.  Its  false  prophets,  who  cannot  pre- 
vail against  the  children  of  grace  with  curses, 
are  always  on  the  alert,  to  entice  them  to  eat 
of  their  sacrifices,  and  to  bow  down  to  their 
gods.  Multitudes  are  caught  in  the  fatal 
snares  which  are  thus  spread  for  the  feet  of 
the  unwary.  And,  when  the  judgments  of 
God  come  upon  this  guilty  world,  these  poor 
victims  of  its  delusions  will  perish  with  the 
Moab  to  which  they  have  joined  themselves. 

But  how  minutely  true  is  the  illustration 
which  these  wanderers  from  Bethlehem  fur- 
nish !     They  went  to   Moab,  but  only  "  to 


48  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

sojourn  there."  Just  as  Lot  went  to  sojourn 
in  Sodom.  Just  as  every  wanderer  from  God 
goes  into  the  world.  It  is  but  for  recreation. 
It  is  only  a  harmless  indulgence.  It  is  but 
for  a  season  of  enjoyment.  They  mean  some 
time  to  return,  and  never  to  go  back  to  Moab 
again.  To  die  in  Moab,  without  God,  and 
without  hope  !  Nothing  is  further  from  their 
thoughts  than  this.  They  will  only  dip  in 
the  lake,  like  the  swallow,  and  they  shall  feel 
refreshed  for  a  longer  flight.  Ah,  how  little 
they  know  of  the  dangers  they  encounter  ! 
They  go  like  an  ox  to  the  slaughter,  or  like 
a  bird  to  the  snare  of  the  fowler,  and  know 
not  that  it  is  for  their  life.  They  know  not— 
they  will  not  know — that  the  dead  are  there, 
and  their  guests  are  in  the  depths  of  hell. 
How  many  such  have  we  known,  whose  in- 
fancy was  openly  offered  to  God  ;  over  whose 
youth  hope  bent  down  to  gaze  with  intense 
delights,  and  with  the  brightest  anticipa- 
tions ;  while  decency  has  blushed  and  wept 
over  the  degradation  of  their  maturity ;  and 


THE    WANDERERS.  49 

dark  despair  lias  built  her  tabernacle  over 
their  sepulchre.  It  is  a  fearful  path.  Whoso 
goeth  therein  shall  not  know  life. 

0,  ye  children  of  Bethlehem,  I  entreat  you, 
wander  not  to  Moab.  Seek  no  bread  which 
is  offered  to  you  there.  The  sons  and  daugh- 
ters of  Moab,  the  kings  and  prophets  of 
Moab,  avoid  them  all.  Balak's  house,  full 
of  silver  and  gold,  will  not  alleviate  the  an- 
guish of  Balaam's  cry,  "  I  shall  see  him,  but 
not  nigh  ;  0  let  me  die  the  death  of  the 
righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his." 
There  is  no  death  of  the  righteous  in  Moab. 
But  there  is  death,  a  sad,  hopeless  death — in 
the  wretchedness  of  which,  thou  wilt  mourn 
at  the  last,  and  say,  "  How  have  I  hated  in- 
struction, and  my  heart  despised  reproof ;  I 
was  almost  in  all  evil,  in  the  midst  of  the 
congregation  and  assembly." 

"  O  pleasures  past,  what  are  ye  now, 
But  thorns  ahout  my  bleeding  brow? 
Spectres  that  hover  round  my  brain 
And  mock  and  aggravate  my  pain. 


50  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

"  For  Pleasure  I  have  given  my  soul ! 
Now  Justice  bids  her  thunders  roll; 
And  Vengeance  smiles,  while,  deep  in  woe, 
She  lays  the  rebellious  ingrate  low.'? 

And  what  were  the  results  of  their  wander- 
ing ?  What  could  they  he,  hut  wasting 
sorrow  and  death  ?  How  significant  of  their 
history  do  the  names  of  these  people  seem  ! 
The  man's  name  was  Elimelech,  God  my 
King.  The  name  of  his  wife,  Naomi,  Pleas- 
ant. Their  two  sons,  Mahlon  and  Chilion, 
Wasting  and  Consumption.  The  history  of 
their  lives  seems  to  he  written  in  their  very 
names.  Their  wandering  from  the  kingdom 
of  God,  and  from  the  land  where  His  Word 
and  worship  made  even  trials  to  he  pleasant, 
Drought  nothing  to  them  hut  sorrow,  wast- 
ing, and  death.  Their  temporary  sojourn  in 
Moah  proved,  for  three  of  them,  their  last 
journey.  "They  came  into  the  country  of 
Moah,  and  they  continued  there."  This  was 
their  last  earthly  home.  They  died  in 
"banishment  from  the  land  of  their  fathers 
and  their  God.     Soon  the  father  finished  his 


THE    WANDERERS.  51 

course,  and  died  in  Moab.  But  the  father's 
death  did  not  arouse  them  from  their  wander- 
ing, or  send  them  back  to  seek  the  Lord. 
No.  They  were  now  sunk  in  the  stupidity 
of  their  sin.  The  infatuation  of  the  world 
had  seized  the  widowed  mother.  The  sons 
wed  themselves  to  idolaters,  and  determine 
to  make  their  abode  in  Moab.  Ten  years  of 
guilty  forgetfulness  of  God  go  by,  and  his 
awakening  judgments  interpose  again.  The 
two  young  men  die  also  in  the  midst  of  their 
schemes  of  indulgence  and  sin.  And  three 
widows  are  there  remaining,  the  solemn  and 
affecting  monuments  that  God  will  not  be 
forgotten.  Poverty  comes  in  upon  them  like 
an  armed  man.  Solitude,  wretchedness,  sep- 
aration from  God,  miserable  reflections  on 
the  past,  equally  wretched  prospects  of  the 
future,  darken  the  windows  of  their  widowed 
habitation.  Ah,  how  sad  are  the  results  of 
a  life  of  guilt !  How  mournful  are  the  con- 
sequences of  a  wandering  from  God  ! 

Thus  wretched  and  hopeless  is  always  the 


52  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

sinner's  degraded  condition,  when  sin  is  about 
completing  its  perfect  work  !  The  prodigal 
begins  to  be  in  want.  He  hires  himself  to 
feed  swine  in  the  field.  He  covets  even  the 
foul  garbage  which  the  swine  do  eat.  He 
could  be  happy  if  he  might  bring  his  tastes 
perfectly  to  his  condition.  But  this  can 
never  be,  and  he  is  more  wretched  and  needy 
than  they.  Now,  every  thing  has  gone. 
Enjoyment  has  tied.  Hope  has  expired. 
Society  has  departed.  Companions  stand 
aloof.  "Wealth  has  vanished.  Nothing  re- 
mains but  degradation  and  despair.  Wast- 
ing and  consumption  are  in  all  his  borders. 
The  sinner  is  left  alone.  The  world,  which 
has  betrayed  him,  forsakes  him.  The  enemy 
who  has  destroyed  him,  mocks  at  him.  The 
only  Comforter  who  can  relieve  his  soul  stands 
far  from  him.  His  judgment  lingereth  not. 
His  damnation  slumbereth  not.  No  longer 
is  he  deceived.  The  misery  of  his  condition 
is  now  before  his  view.  His  ruin  is  undeni- 
able.   The  wages  of  his  sin  is  death.    Eternal 


THE    WANDERERS.  53 

death,  the  worm  that  dieth  not,  and  the  fire 
that  is  not  quenched,  is  spread  out  before  him. 
To  call  this  a  result  of  wretchedness,  of 
sorrow,  is  feeble  and  trifling.  It  is  the  dam- 
nation of  the  soul.  It  is  a  loss,  for  which 
earth  has  no  measure  ;  for  which  the  human 
mind  has  no  conception ;  which  nothing  can 
illustrate  or  explain,  but  the  hopeless  ex- 
perience of  eternity  itself.  And  this  is  the 
result  of  wandering  from  God  !  0,  let  sinful 
youth  stop,  and  contemplate  the  end  to 
which  they  press.  Look  whither  you  are 
going.  See  the  sorrow  you  are  laying  up  for 
yourselves,  in  a  wasting  of  life  without 
recovery ;  in  a  departure  without  hope  ;  in 
an  eternity  which  is  darkness  and  the  shadow 
of  death.  And  while  there  is  time  and 
opportunity  to  return ;  and  hope  of  pardon, 
if  you  will  return  ;  listen  to  the  Lord  Jesus, 
as  he  cries  unto  you  from  Bethlehem,  from 
Calvary,  from  Zion  :  "  Look  unto  me  and  be 
ye  saved ;  for  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none 
else." 


ni 

®|t  jaualuning. 

Teen  she  arose  with  her  daughters-in-law,  that  she  might  return  from 
the  country  of  Moab ;  for  she  had  heard  in  the  country  of  Moab,  how 
that  the  Lord  had  visited  his  people,  in  giving  them  bread.  Where- 
fore she  went  forth  out  of  the  place  where  6he  was,  and  her  two 
daughters-in-law  with  her;  and  they  went  on  their  way  to  return 
unto  the  land  of  Judah."— Euro,  i.  6, 7. 

To  trace  the  course  of  the  wanderer  away 
from  God  is  sad  and  painful.  The  result 
of  misery  and  regret  is  always  the  same  ; 
whether  he  ever  return  to  God  or  not,  his 
sorrow  over  the  remembrance  of  his  wander- 
ing will  he  equally  sure.  He  may  never 
come  back.  He  may  never  receive  the  gift 
of  true  repentance.  He  may  never  find  the 
forgiveness  of  his  sins.  He  may  persevere 
in  his  rebellious  folly  to  the  end  of  life. 
But  he  can  not  avoid  the  long  day  of  grief 


THE    AWAKENING  55 

which  is  sure  to  come.  An  awakening  will 
at  last  arrive,  when  he  will  lift  up  his  eyes 
in  distress,  and  mourn  over  the  madness 
which  has  suffered  him  to  be  so  deceived  and 
ruined  by  the  enemies  of  his  soul. 

We  must  never  hesitate,  therefore,  in  pro- 
claiming to  all  the  wanderers  from  God, 
"  You  will  find  no  rest  in  Moab." 


'  The  world  can  never  give 

The  bliss  for  which  you  sigh; 
It  is  not  all  of  life  to  live, 
Nor  all  of  death  to  die." 


You  will  mourn  at  the  last,  though  it  may 
be  with  a  sorrow  of  the  world  which  worketh 
death.  You  will  find  no  profit  to  yourself, 
though  you  may  have  gained  the  whole 
world,  when  God  taketh  away  your  soul. 

But  I  am  not  now  to  trace  this  course  of 
sin  to  its  dreadful  result.  There  is  for  some 
a  day  of  awakening  in  the  present  life.  And, 
painful  as  this  day  may  be,  it  is  still  a  happy 
day.  It  is  the  beginning  of  a  new  life,  a 
happy  life,  a  life  of  glory.    It  is  the  dawning 


56  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

of  a  light  which  is  prepared  as  the  morning, 
It  is  the  blessed  visitation  of  the  grace  and 
goodness  of  God  to  the  lost  and  guilty. 
However  faint  and  dim  it  may  be  in  its 
beginning,  it  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the 
perfect  day.  This  is  the  awakening  which 
we  are  now  to  trace.  It  is  the  commence- 
ment of  the  wanderer's  return,  over  which 
there  is  joy  in  heaven,  in  the  presence  of  the 
angels  of  God.  Blessed  is  the  soul  to  whom 
this  heavenly  mercy  comes.  Blessed  will  you 
be,  if  it  shall  come  to  you.     . 

"We  must  never  forget  that  this  awakening 
of  the  soul  is  the  work  of  God.  The  whole 
world  lieth  in  the  wicked  one.  Idolatry  and 
enmity  to  God  reign  throughout  the  land  of 
Moab.  There  Naomi  dwells.  There  the  sin- 
ner is  found.  There,  if  God  permitted,  Na- 
omi would  die.  There,  if  God  did  not  arrest 
and  arouse  him,  the  sinner  would  perish.  He 
sees  the  wanderer  dead  in  his  sins  ;  without 
God,  and  without  hope  ;  nay,  worse  than  this, 
satisfied,  contented,  often  rejoicing  m  his  state 


THE    AWAKENING.  57 

of  ruin.  To  leave  him  in  prosperity  in  this 
condition,  is  to  leave  hirn  to  hopeless  destruc- 
tion. God  speaks  unto  him  in  his  prosperity, 
and  he  says,  I  will  not  hear.  This  is  his 
manner  from  his  youth.  Then  comes  the 
question,  "  What  shall  I  do  to  my  vineyard  ? 
I  will  take  away  the  hedge  thereof,  and  it 
shall  be  eaten  up  ;  and  break  down  the  wall 
thereof,  and  it  shall  be  trodden  down.  I  will 
lay  it  waste,  and  it  shall  not  be  pruned  nor 
digged  ;  but  there  shall  come  up  briars  and 
thorns."  Then  God  sends  awakening  provi- 
dences. Afflictions  and  losses  are  multiplied. 
The  nest  is  broken  up.  The  soul  is  made 
sorrowful.  Thus  it  was  with  Naomi.  Her 
husband  died.  Her  two  sons  are  taken  away. 
"  And  the  woman  is  left  of  her  two  sons,  and 
her  husband."  Now  Moab  begins  to  show  its 
real  character,  its  perfect  worthlessness  to 
comfort  the  suffering  soul.  The  folly  of  their 
wandering  begins  to  appear.  This  is  God's 
method  of  commencement.  Thus  he  giveth 
his  beloved  rest. 

3* 


58  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

How  many  of  his  children  have  been  saved 
by  the  bitter  remedy  of  affliction,  and  have 
thus  been  taught  to  bless  the  chastenings  of 
the  Lord  !  Adversity  saves  multitudes  whom 
prosperity  would  have  destroyed.  But  pros- 
perity will  rarely  bless  those  who  have  passed 
through  sorrow  unawakened.  Naomi,  solitary 
and  bereaved,  feels  her  soul  far  off  from 
peace.  She  forgets  prosperity.  Kemember- 
ing  her  affliction  and  her  misery,  the  worm- 
wood and  the  gall,  her  soul  is  humbled  within 
her.  This  she  recalls  to  mind,  and  now  she 
has  hope.  It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  she  is 
not  consumed,  because  his  compassions  fail 
not. 

But  why  should  you  ever  provoke  the 
Lord  to  visit  you  with  sorrow  ?  Why  should 
you  make  affliction  necessary  to  your  soul's 
salvation  ?  Let  the  goodness  of  the  Lord 
lead  you  to  repentance.  Let  his  love  awaken 
your  gratitude.  Let  his  long-suffering  recall 
your  affections  to  his  service.  Listen  to  the 
voice  of  his  gracious  invitations,  and  seek  him 


THE    AWAKENING.  59 

while  he  may  be  found;  with  filial,  grateful 
love.  Choose  hirn  freely  as  your  Father,  and 
your  eternal  portion ;  not  because  he  drives 
you  to  himself,  but  because  you  desire  and 
lcve  him.  How  much  happier,  and  how 
much  more  likely  to  be  permanent,  is  that 
piety  which  comes  in  youth,  and  health,  and 
prosperity,  and  which  lays  an  affectionate 
filial  spirit  at  the  Saviour's  feet,  serving  him 
because  he  is  altogether  lovely,  the  chief 
among  ten  thousand  ! 

"As  by  the  light  of  opening  day 
The  stars  are  all  concealed ; 
So  earthly  glories  fade  away 
When  Jesus  is  revealed." 

But  whether  affliction  or  joy  be  made  the 
instrument  to  awaken  the  soul,  it  is  equally  a 
Divine  instrument.  The  work  is  altogether 
the  Lord's  work.  The  Holy  Spirit  alone  can 
give  you  a  knowledge  of  your  sin,  and  create 
a  godly  sorrow  in  your  hearts.  There  is 
nothing  in  the  instrument,  whatever  it  may 
be,  which  can  change  the    heart    of   man. 


60  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

When  the  world  becomes  distasteful,  and  the 
soul  is  wearied  with  sin  ;  when  you  feel  the 
guilt  of  your  wandering,  and  desire  to  return 
to  God  ;  when  you  are  conscious  of  the  first 
emotion  of  sorrow  for  your  transgression,  and 
begin  to  look  back  upon  your  life  with  shame 
and  regret — this  is  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Welcome  it,  encourage  it,  do  not 
resist  it,  but  cultivate  it  as  a  priceless  gift. 
Now  God  means  to  bless  you  indeed.  Listen 
to  his  voice  with  gladness. 

Sad  were  Naomi's  condition  and  feelings. 
Her  heart  was  solitary  and  broken.  And  yet 
this  was  the  most  promising  hour  of  her  life. 
Far,  far  better  was  this  beginning  of  a  return 
with  conscious  emptiness  to  God,  than  her 
former  going  out  full.  Now  she  may  hope. 
It  is  the  beginning  of  a  blessed  day.  When 
the  prodigal  comes  to  himself,  the  Saviour 
rejoices,  and  angels  triumph.  Blessed,  glori- 
ous evidence,  that  God  has  not  finally  for- 
saken him  like  reprobate  silver,  and  thrown 
him  aside,  cast  out  of  the  sight  of  his  eyes. 


THE    AWAKENING  61 

Happy  will  be  the  day  when  we  shall  see  you 
all  thus  aroused  from  your  slumbers,  and 
made  to  inquire  for  that  blessed  Lord,  whom 
you  have  so  long  neglected,  and  bo  much 
offended.  Awake,  awake,  my  young,  friends, 
from  this  dreaming  life  in  Moab,  and  return 
unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  receive  you.  He 
will  abundantly  pardon  you,  and  give  you  the 
sure  mercies  of  his  Son,  your  all-sufficient, 
only  Saviour. 

In  this  day  of  awakening,  Naomi  found 
that  she  had  gained  nothing  by  her  wander- 
ing from  God.  There  had  been  a  famine  in 
Judah.  But  ah,  she  had  found  a  far  worse 
famine  in  Moab.  There,  every  comfort  had 
failed,  and  every  hope  had  departed.  In  no 
single  point  was  her  condition  improved  by 
her  night  from  Israel.  But  was  this  peculiar 
to  her  ?  Can  you  ever  gain  in  such  a  course  ? 
We  often  hear  of  the  toils  and  trials  of  relig- 
ion ;  and  of  the  joys  and  pleasures  of  the 
world.  But  is  not  all  this  a  delusion  ?  Has 
the  worldly  mind  a  single  real  pleasure  which 


62  THE    KICH    KINSMAN. 

is  denied  to  the  Christian  ?  Are  the  enjoy- 
ments of  the  present  life  ever  enhanced  by 
rebellion  against  God  ?  Are  you  ever  the 
happier  for  transgression,  or  made  the  more 
contented  by  forgetting  your  Creator  ? 

Far  enough  from  all  this  is  your  actual 
experience.  Your  awakened  mind  looks  back 
upon  life,  to  say,  with  distress,  I  have  sinned, 
and  what  hath  it  profited  me  ?  There  is  not 
a  single  real  pleasure,  or  joy,  or  gain  in  life, 
of  which  any  man  can  truly  say,  "  This,  at 
least,  is  the  reward  of  my  sin."  "What  had 
the  prodigal  gained  when  he  came  to  him- 
self? His  property  wasted,  his  life  miser- 
able, his  condition  degraded  !  Alas,  sin  had 
cost  him  much,  but  it  had  brought  him  no- 
thing. You  will  all  see  the  same  unprofitable 
character  in  life  past.  You  will  look  back 
upon  the  whole  of  life,  and  feel  that  you  have 
6pent  your  strength  in  vain.  You  have  no- 
thing to  show  as  the  recompense  of  all  your 
toil  and  labor. 

Even  if  you  never   truly  repent,  your  ret- 


THE    AWAKENING.  63 

rospect  of  life  will  be  just  as  unsatisfying; 
and  destitute  of  comfort  to  your  soul.  You 
may  dance  and  frolic.  You  may  indulge  your 
sinful  appetites.  You  may  pass  your  days 
and  nights  in  frivolity  and  mirth.  You  may 
acquire  wealth,  and  withhold  yourself  from 
no  joy  within  the  reach  of  a  sinful  man. 
You  may  take  God's  Sabbath  to  yourself, 
and  find  your  pleasure  on  his  holy  day.  But 
when  you  come  to  look  back  upon  all  this 
from  the  hour  of  death,  or  from  the  day  of 
judgment,  the  memory  of  your  folly  will  eat 
into  your  soul,  as  if  it  were  fire.  You  will 
despise  all  that  you  have  gained.  You  will 
despise  yourself,  for  pursuing  vanities  so  mad- 
ly. And  nothing  will  remain  to  you  as  the 
result,  but  the  most  overwhelming  despair. 

I  knew  a  young  lady  in  the  very  morning 
of  her  life,  whose  earthly  condition  gave  her 
every  means  of  indulgence,  and  who  spent 
her  days  in  the  society  of  the  gay  and 
worldly.  She  rejected  the  Gospel  from  her 
heart,   though   she    heard    it    weekly.     The 


64  THE    KICH    KINSMAN. 

bread  of  Bethlehem  she  ga\e  up  for  the  vines 
of  Moab.  The  voice  of  a  Saviour  she  ex- 
changed for  the  flattery  of  the  world.  There 
was,  to  her,  a  famine  in  the  Church  of  the 
joys  which  she  desired,  and  she  tried  to  find 
them  in  the  gay  and  glittering  throng  of  the 
guilty.  Thus  she  passed  her  life  in  the  giddy 
whirl  of  pleasure,  and  tried  to  think  that  she 
was  happy.  But  God  suddenly  blasted  all 
her  hopes,  and  blighted  all  her  joys.  She 
was  laid  upon  a  bed  of  sickness  for  immediate 
and  unexpected  death.  A  few  hours  only 
passed  before  she  died.  But  they  were  sad 
and  awful  hours.  She  was  awakened  to  see 
her  guilt,  and  to  mourn  over  her  worldly, 
sinful  life.  Her  cry  was,  "  I  am  black  with 
sin."  This  she  repeated  without  comfort. 
Yain  were  the  provisions  of  wealth.  Vain 
were  the  consolations  of  worldly  friends. 
Yain  was  the  memory  of  joys  that  were 
passed.  The  Spirit  had  aroused  her  con- 
science and  she  abhorred  them  all.  And 
though  she  died  with  no  happy  avowal  of 


THE    AWAKENING.  65 

hope,  her  agonizing  soul  cried  out,  over  and 
over  again,  "  I  am  black  with  sin — I  arn  all 
black  with  sin."  Ah,  how  vain  and  empty 
Moab  looks,  when  this  day  of  awakening 
comes  !  It  has  nothing  which  can  offer  one 
hour's  peace  to  an  anxious,  serious  mind. 
And  all  the  days  and  years  which  you  may 
have  spent  there,  are,  at  the  very  best  view 
of  them,  but  so  much  time  completely  wasted 
and  thrown  away. 

But  Naomi  found  more  than  this.  Her 
wandering  from  G-od  had  brought  great  loss 
and  sorrow  with  it.  She  was  left  a  widow 
and  childless.  Her  husband  and  her  sons 
were  taken  from  her ;  and,  like  Kachel,  she 
Was  weeping,  with  no  comforter.  All  the 
evils  which  she  might  have  suffered  in  Israel 
seemed  of  little  account,  in  comparison  with 
her  present  griefs.  We  can  bear  any  out- 
ward trial  with  patience,  and  even  with 
pleasure,  if  we  have  affectionate  sympathy 
under  it,  from  our  family  and  friends,  and  can 
see  the  good  hand  of  the  Lord  in  laying  it 


66  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

upon  us.  Naomi  was  ready  to  say,  "  1  would 
rather  have  been  a  beggar  in  Canaan,  with 
my  husband  and  my  sons  about  me,  than  be 
the  possessor  of  every  thing  in  Moab  without 
them.  But  they  were  gone,  and  every  thing 
she  valued  seemed  to  have  gone  with  them. 
Well  did  she  say,  "  Call  me  not  Naomi, 
pleasant ;  call  me  Mara,  bitter,  for  the  Al- 
mighty hath  dealt  very  bitterly  with  me." 
Yes,  the  wages  of  all  our  wanderings  from 
God  are  bitter  enough.  Earthly  pleasure  may 
2jive  its  color  in  the  cup,  and  appear  to  the 
deluded  eye  to  move  itself  aright.  But  at 
the  last,  it  will  bite  like  a  serpent,  and  sting 
like  an  adder.     The  wages  of  sin  is  death. 

These  present  actual  losses  are  in  them- 
selves quite  sufficient  to  arrest  your  con- 
science, and  make  you  stop  and  think  of  your 
folly  in  a  course  of  wandering  from  God.  In 
the  day  of  your  real  awakening  from  your  sin, 
you  will  find  it  so.  How  much  you  have  lost ! 
You  have  thrown  away  the  favor  of  God. 
You  have  sacrificed  your  peace  of  conscience.. 


THE    AWAKENING.  67 

You  have  lost  your  early  readiness  to  receive 
religious  impressions.  You  have  driven  away 
the  Saviour  who  would  have  loved  and 
blessed  you.  You  have  grieved  and  wearied 
the  Holy  Spirit,  who  admonished  and  taught 
you.  You  have  thrown  from  you  the  pre- 
cious hope  and  comfort  which  the  Gospel 
offered  you.  And  what  have  you  left  ? 
Nothing.  Nothing  but  degradation  and 
guilt.  Not  a  day  of  life  passed  can  satisfy 
you.  It  all  seems  guilty  and  wretched  in 
an  extreme  degree.  You  look  back  upon  it 
with  shame  and  sorrow.  It  is  a  vain  attempt 
to  console  you  with  the  idea  that  your  views 
of  sin  are  excessive  ;  that  your  estimate  of 
/our  guilt  is  overwrought.  No.  You  see 
the  hidden  evils  of  your  heart,  evils  which 
others  can  not  see.  The  outward  restraints 
which  they  have  seen,  and  which  they  ap- 
prove, do  not  make  these  evils  less.  Youi 
heart  within  is  deceitful  above  all  things, 
and    desperately  wicked.      And    it    is    this 


68  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

which  filk  you  with  grief,  and  humbles  you 
with  conscious  unworthiness. 

No  one  can  estimate  these  losses  in  Moab, 
until  he  sets  out  to  come  back  to  God. 
Then  the  world  assumes  its  real  aspect. 
Unpardoned  sin  reveals  its  grievous  load. 
All  your  gains  are  nothing.  Your  stricken 
soul  mourns  in  bitterness.  Your  broken 
heart  cries  out  with  anguish.  Your  con- 
science tells  you  of  a  thousand  forgotten 
crimes.  You  despise  the  follies  which  have 
deluded  you.  You  abhor  the  guilt  which 
has  marked  you  before  God.  There  is  no 
peace  for  your  soul.  Wretched,  helpless, 
almost  in  despair,  you  cry  out,  "  Who  shall 
deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  ?" 
Every  thing  seems  lost.  And  unless  you 
can  be  brought  back  to  God  in  peace,  and 
find  forgiveness  of  sin  in  the  exalted  Saviour, 
every  thing  is  lost  indeed. 

But  good  news  from  the  Lord's  land  comes 
to  this  awakened  wanderer.  "  Naomi  heard 
in  the  country  of  Moab  how  that  the  Lord 


THE    AWAKENING.  69 

had  visited  his  people,  in  giving  them  "bread." 
This  was  good  news  from  her  forsaken  home, 
Here  was  the  first  ray  of  light  which  dawned 
on  her  darkened  spirit.  Here  was  the  first 
spring  of  hope  in  her  desolate  and  barren 
heart.  All  then  was  not  lost.  If  she  could 
only  get  back  to  Bethlehem  again,  all  might 
be  well  once  more.  Thus  the  prodigal 
remembered,  in  the  day  of  his  misery,  how 
many  hired  servants  of  his  father  had  bread 
enough  and  to  spare,  while  he  was  perishing 
with  hunger.  How  true  and  beautiful  is  the 
application  of  this  to  every  wanderer  from  God ! 
What  precious  intelligence  does  the  Gospel 
bring  to  the  guilty  !  It  declares  the  pardon- 
ing love  of  God.  It  proclaims  complete 
atonement  in  the  blood  of  Jesus.  It  an- 
nounces full  salvation  in  his  merits  and 
death.  It  exhibits  God  reconciled  to  those 
who  have  rebelled  against  him.  It  offers 
this  reconciliation  in  a  Divine  Saviour.  It 
teaches  them  that  he  is  able  to  save  unto 
the    uttermost,    all    who    come    unto    God 


70  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

through  hirn.  It  calls  upon  lost  sinners  to 
fly  to  Jesus.  It  assures  trie  weary  and  the 
wretched  that  in  Him  there  is  help.  It  is 
good  news  to  the  perishing.  There  is  bread 
enough  and  to  spare.  God  hath  visited  his 
people  in  giving  them  bread.  Why  then 
should  any  die,  when  there  is  an  all-sufficient 
Saviour  for  all  ?  This  is  the  message  from 
Immanuers  land. 

It  comes  to  you  as  lost  in  guilt.  It  comes 
to  you  when  you  are  in  Moab,  in  the  very 
midst  of  your  transgressions.  The  Son  of 
Man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which 
was  lost.  This  is  the  only  qualification  in 
you  to  which  the  Saviour  looks.  He  desires 
you  to  feel  that  you  are  lost ;  to  acknowl- 
edge that  you  are  lost ;  and  then  to  be  will- 
ing and  contented  to  be  saved.  Thus  we  are 
to  deliver  God's  message  of  love  to  you. 
Thus  we  are  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  a  world 
of  sinners.  It  is  of  no  consequence  how 
guilty,  how  lost,  how  debased,  how  far  astray 
from  God   you  may  be.     0  no.     The  blood 


THE   AWAKENING.  71 

of  Jesus  Christ  can  cleanse  you  from  all  sin. 
In  the  fountain  which  he  has  opened,  you 
may  be  washed  as  white  as  snow.  The  mes- 
sage comes  to  you.  Hear  it.  Eeceive  it. 
Rejoice  in  it.  It  is  a  message  from  God  to 
each  of  you.  Whosoever  will  may  come,  and 
eat  and  drink  and  live  for  ever.  This  is  the 
intelligence  which  comes  in  the  Gospel  to 
guilty  man.  This  is  the  message  which 
seems  so  precious  and  encouraging  to  the 
mind  of  the  awakened  sinner.  It  is  the 
Word  of  Life.  It  says  to  him,  Live  ;  yea,  it 
says  to  him,  Live.  And  now  there  seems  a 
hope,  a  bright  and  encouraging  hope  before 
him.  Like  the  wounded  Israelite,  he  can 
raise  his  languid  eye  to  the  brazen  serpent. 
He  can  look  upon  the  divine  provision.  He 
can  behold  Jesus  with  new  feelings  of  con- 
solation. His  mourning  heart  is  ready  to 
say,  with  the  most  affectionate  gratitude, 

"  Poor  though  I  am,  despised,  forgot, 
Yet  God,  my  God,  forsakes  me  not ; 
And  he  is  safe,  and  must  succeed, 
For  whom  the  Lord  vouchsafes  to  plead." 


72  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

Then  the  awakened  wanderer  sets  out  at 
once  on  a  return.  Naomi  "arose,  that  she 
might  return  from  the  country  of  Moab  ; 
wherefore  she  went  forth  out  of  the  place 
where  she  was,  on  the  way  to  return  into  the 
land  of  Judah."  Yes — the  very  first  thing, 
when  your  mind  is  awakened,  and  you  see 
and  feel  your  guilt,  is  to  go  back.  Not  to 
consider ;  not  to  deliberate  ;  not  to  sit  down 
and  mourn  over  your  losses  and  wretchedness. 
But  to  arise  at  once,  and  return  to  G-od,  who 
will  abundantly  pardon.  The  prodigal  said, 
"  I  will  arise  and  go  to  my  father."  "  And  he 
arose  and  came  to  his  father."  This  settled 
the  whole  matter.  So  Naomi  "  set  out  from 
the  place  where  she  was."  This  was  her  first 
immediate  act.  This  must  be  yours.  You 
want  no  preparation  for  your  return  to  God 
but  a  sense  of  your  need.  Do  you  feel  youi 
guilt  ?  Do  you  see  the  folly  of  your  sinful 
life  ?  Do  you  hear  the  news  of  divine  for- 
giveness ?     Then  there  is  nothing  more  to  be 


THE    AWAKENING.  73 

done,  but  to  accept  the  message  from.  God, 
and  to  set  out  upon  your  return  at  once. 

Many  think  they  must  first  feel  much,  and 
mourn  much,  and  suffer  much,  before  they 
can  hope  to  go  back  in  peace  to  God.  But 
why  ?  Will  your  suffering  save  you  ?  Will 
your  multiplied  tears  add  any  thing  to  a  Sa- 
viour's worth  ?  Is  Christ  to  be  more  suffi- 
cient because  you  have  mourned  so  much  ? 
Can  you  make  yourself  in  any  way  better 
before  you  come  ?  Ah,  how  vain  are  all  such 
thoughts  !  The  first  thing  for  you  to  do,  is 
to  go  directly  to  the  Saviour,  with  perfert 
confidence  and  hope,  and  with  no  fear.  Is 
your  dwelling  on  fire  ?  And  must  you  wait 
until  you  are  scorched  with  the  flames  before 
you  can  escape  in  safety  ?  Have  you  mistaken 
your  road  in  journeying  ?  And  can  you  recover 
your  lost  steps  the  better  by  delay  or  hesita- 
tion, or  fruitless  grief  ?  Nay.  You  want  all 
the  time  for  actual  pursuit.  You  have  none 
to  waste.  Turn!  Turn!  Fly!  Fly!  'Tib 
madness  to  defer.  When  your  conscience  is 
4 


74  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

aroused,  this  is  the  next  step — the  first  step. 
You  can  do  nothing  for  your  safety  until  you 
do  this.  Jesus  is  your  refuge.  You  can  have 
no  safety  until  you  flee  to  him.  You  need  not 
wait  an  hour,  or  a  moment.  "  Seek  ye  my 
face/'  he  says.  Let  your  heart  reply  at  once; 
"  Thy  face  will  I  seek/'  David  says,  "  When 
thou  shalt  enlarge  my  heart,  I  will  run  the 
way  of  thy  commandments."  "  I  made  haste, 
I  delayed  not,  to  keep  thy  commandments." 
Nay,  further  than  this,  he  says  he  would  not 
stop  to  breathe  before  he  set  out :  "I  opened 
my  mouth,  and  drew  in  my  breath,  for  I 
longed  for  thy  commandments."  Set  out 
from  the  very  place  where  you  are  ;  with  all 
your  guilt,  and  all  your  degradation.  Go  just 
as  you  are,  and  ask  and  expect  forgiveness. 

"  Just  as  I  am,  O  waiting  not 
To  rid  my  soul  from  one  dark  blot, 
To  thee,  whose  blood  can  cleanse  each  spot, 
To  thee,  0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come." 

Naomi  goes-  to  no  other  part  of  Moab ;  to 
no  other  land  of  idolatry.     She  goes  directly 


THE    AWAKENING.  75 

back  to  the  land  of  Judah.  This  is  a  blessed 
example.  How  many  go  from  one  broken 
cistern  to  another,  instead  of  going  at  once  to 
the  fountain  of  living  waters.  When  the 
burden  of  sin  and  sorrow  presses,  some  fly  to 
worldly  pleasure,  and  try  to  drown  their  sense 
of  guilt  in  deeper  sin.  Some  rush  into  un- 
belief, and  strive,  by  voluntary  infidelity,  to 
drive  off  the  jprecious  Comforter  who  would 
lead  them  back  to  God.  Some  burden  them- 
selves with  self-righteous  superstitions  ;  with 
ceremonies,  penances,  and  popery  ;  and  try  to 
find  some  way  of  safety  among  the  blind  pass- 
ages, and  dark  dungeons  which  are  opened 
before  them  there.  But  all  these  efforts  are 
vain.  Edom  or  Babylon  are  no  better  than 
Moab.  No.  You  must  «fly  to  Bethlehem  at 
once.  Go  directly  to  an  offered  Saviour.  Go 
as  a  beggar.  Go  as  a  rebel.  Go,  feeling  that 
you  deserve  to  be  condemned.  But  go.  Go 
with  hope.  Go  with  trust.  Go  with  assur- 
ance. Go  without  fear.  He  will  not  refuse 
you,  nor  reject  you.     He  will  in  no  wise  cast 


7G  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

you  out.  Your  safety  and  your  hope  depend 
upon  an  instant,  decided,  and  undoubted  re- 
turn to  God.  Often  this  safety  hangs  upon 
a  momentary  decision.  Your  awakened  mind 
is  brought  where  you  must  decide  positively 
on  the  one  side  or  on  the  other.  You  must 
either  absolutely  accept  or  reject  the  Gospel. 
You  must  either  affectionately  submit  to 
God,  or  peremptorily  refuse  the  offer  of  his 
grace.  Now  is  your  accepted  time.  This  is 
the  day  of  your  salvation. 

I  remember  a  young  man  whom  I  once  met 
in  my  study  for  religious  conversation.  I 
found  him  one  who  had  been  gay,  trifling, 
and  carelessly  living  without  God.  But  he 
was  now  awakened,  serious,  yet  hesitating 
and  proud.  His  wife,  he  said,  was  a  religious 
woman.  But  he  had  been  a  neglecter  of  the 
whole  subject  of  his  own  salvation.  I  con- 
versed long  with  him.  At  last  I  said,  "  Now 
go  home,  and  take  your  stand  for  Christ  to- 
night ;  and  tell  your  wife  that  the  time  past 
of  your  life  has  been  enough  for  sin,  and  now 


THE    AWAKENING.  77 

you  mean  to  live  for  Christ,  and  the  kingdom 
of  God.  Kneel  down  with  her,  and  begin 
your  united  prayer  to-night.  "Will  you  do 
this  ?"  "  No,"  he  answered,  "  I  can  not."  I 
vainly  remonstrated  with  him.  He  was  im- 
movable. I  then  said,  "  I  have  nothing 
more  to  say."  For  some  minutes  we  sat  in 
silence.  I  asked  him  again,  and  again  he 
refused.  Silence  again  intervened,  until,  in  a 
few  minutes  more  he  rose  from  his  seat,  and 
sighed  deeply.  The  tears  started  from  his  eyes, 
and,  as  I  asked  him  again,  he  answered  me,  "  I 
will,"  and  immediately  left  my  house.  The 
next  evening  I  saw  him  entering  our  evening 
worship  at  the  church,  with  a  young  woman 
leaning  on  his  arm,  whom  I  had  often  marked 
there  as  a  stranger,  and  a  woman  of  a  sor- 
rowful spirit.  They  came  to  the  front  seat 
immediately  before  me,  and  knelt  down  to- 
gether in  private  prayer.  Ah,  how  my 
heart  rejoiced  in  the  sight  before  me  !  It 
was  the  manifest  sign  to  me  that  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  had  gained  the  victory  in  his 


78  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

heart.  When  the  public  service  was  con- 
cluded, I  approached  thern,  and  asked  him  if 
this  was  his  wife.  He  answered,  yes.  I  told 
her  what  this  young  man  had  promised  me  to 
do  the  night  before.  "Did  he  do  it?"  "Yes/' 
said  she,  "  he  did."  "  And  how  do  you  feel 
to-night,"  I  said  to  him.  "  Sir,"  he  exclaimed, 
"  I  am  the  happiest  man  in  the  City  of  Phil- 
adelphia." This  young  man  walked  faith- 
fully in  our  midst  for  some  years,  as  a  servant 
of  the  Lord,  and  then,  under  a  rapid  con- 
sumption, he  sunk  in  death.  "When  near  his 
hour  of  departure,  I  said  to  him,  "  Do  you 
remember  the  evening  when  you  first  came  to 
my  study  ?"  "  Eemember  it  ?"  said  he,  "  I 
shall  never  forget  it  through  all  eternity.  It 
was  the  birthday  of  my  soul."  And  he  raised 
his  feeble  hands,  clasped  them  together,  and, 
covering  his  face,  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears. 

Ah,  ho"*v  much  depended,  in  his  case,  upon 
that  instant  return  to  God  !  Like  Naomi, 
"  he  rose  up  from  the  place  where  he  was," 
and  went  directly  to  the  Lord,  who  called 


THE    AWAKENING.  79 

him  to  be  his  servant.  There  he  found  peace 
for  ever.  He  will  praise  God  through  eter- 
nity for  the  blessing  of  that  night.  This  is  the 
way  of  peace — the  only  way  of  peace.  Tims 
the  prodigal  "  arose  and  came  to  his  father. 
But  when  he  was  yet  a  great  way  off,  his 
rather  saw  hiin,  and  had  compassion,  and 
ran,,  and  fell  on  his  neck,  and  kissed  him." 
Thus  the  Saviour  is  ready  to  meet  you,  and 
to  bless  you  all.  Who  is  ready  to  rise  up  at 
once  and  go  ?  He  promises  to  receive  you. 
He  will  in  no  wise  cast  you  out.  0  come, 
hasten  to  him,  and  settle  the  great  question 
for  your  soul,  by  a  happy  and  faithful  sur- 
render of  yourselves  to  him. 


IV. 


%\t  Iramisittg  Cmunmumuttt. 


And  Naomi  said  unto  her  two  daughters-in-law,  Go,  return  each  to  her 
mother's  house :  the  Lord  deal  kindly  with  you,  as  ye  have  dealt  witb 
the  dead,  and  with  me.  The  Lord  grant  you  that  ye  may  find  rest, 
each  of  you  in  the  house  of  her  husband.  Then  she  kissed  them.' 
and  they  lifted  up  their  voice  and  wept.  And  they  said  unto  her, 
Surely  we  will  return  with  thee  unto  thy  people.  And  Naomi  said, 
Turn  again,  my  daughters:  why  will  ye  go  with  me  ?  Are  there  yet 
any  more  sons  in  my  womb,  that  they  may  be  your  husbands  ?  Turn 
again,  my  daughters,  go  your  way;  for  I  am  too  old  to  have  an  hus- 
band. If  I  should  say,  I  have  hope,  if  I  should  have  an  husband  also 
to-night,  and  should  also  bear  sons;  would  ye  tarry  for  them  till  they 
were  grown  ?  Would  ye  stay  for  them  from  having  husbands  ?  Nay, 
my  daughters ;  for  it  grieveth  me  much  for  your  sakes,  that  the  hand 
of  the  Lord  is  gone  out  against  me." — Ruth,  i.  S-13. 


Here  we  have  the  most  happy  and  prom- 
ising commencement  of  a  new  work.  The 
awakened  wanderer  sets  out  on  an  immediate 
return.  The  Holy  Spirit  has  showed  him  the 
guilt  and  loss  of  his  past  course,  and  has 
excited  in  him  the  earnest  desire  for  pardon 


THE    PROMISING    COMMENCEMENT.      81 

and  deliverance.  He  has  taught  him  that 
with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with  him 
is  plenteous  redemption.  He  has  stirred  him 
up  to  seek  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found  ; 
and  the  sinner  says,  "  I  will  go  and  return 
unto  the  Lord,  for  with  him  the  fatherless 
findeth  mercy/' 

But  never  does  the  really  penitent  sinner 
desire  to  return  to  God  alone.  An  im- 
mediate sympathy  makes  him  anxious  for  the 
salvation  of  those  whom  he  loves.  "  Andrew 
findeth  his  own  brother  Simon,  and  saith 
unto  him,  We  have  found  the  Christ,  and  he 
brought  him  to  Jesus."  Moses  said  unto 
Hobab,  his  brother-in-law,  "  We  are  journey- 
ing unto  the  place  of  which  the  Lord  hath 
said,  I  will  give  it  to  you ;  come  thou  with 
us,  and  we  will  do  thee  good,  for  the  Lord 
hath  spoken  good  concerning  Israel."  Naomi 
would  not  willingly  leave  her  widowed 
daughters-in-law  in  Moab.  •  Though  she 
apparently  discourages  them,  it  is  with  the 
manifest  design  that  they  should  go  with  her, 
4* 


82  THE    RICH    KINSMAN*. 

upon  motives  that  should  be  permanent,  and 
not  disappointing.  And  this  is  the  point  of 
their  history  we  have  now  to  consider. 

We  see  them  all  set  out  together,  upon  tho 
same  road,  and  apparently  for  the  same 
result.  "  She  went  forth  out  of  the  place 
where  she  was,  and  her  two  daughters-in-law 
with  her ;  and  they  went  on  their  way  to 
return  unto  the  land  of  Judah."  No  one 
who  saw  them  set  out  upon  their  journey 
could  anticipate  that  they  would  voluntarily 
separate,  or  imagine  that  one  was  more  likely 
than  the  other  to  reach  the  end  proposed. 
They  all  set  out  together.  Orpah  seemed  as 
promising  as  Kuth.  We  are  obliged  to  wait 
until  succeeding  trials  shall  bring  their  real 
characters  individually  to  light,  before  we 
can  discriminate  between  them.  Thus  the 
Lord  teaches  us  in  the  parable  of  the  sower. 
The  same  hand  sowed  the  same  seed  on  all 
the  varieties  of  the  ground.  But  the  results 
which  are  produced  differ  most  widely.  Many 
listen  together  to  the  preaching  of  the  Word 


THE   PROMISING   COMMENCEMENT.     83 

of  God.  Many  feel  together  the  burden  of 
personal  affliction  and  distress.  Many  are 
made  to  see  their  danger,  and  to  remember 
their  responsibility  to  God.  Many  appear  to 
feel  the  guilt  of  their  past  sinful  life,  and  to 
be  really  aroused  in  their  mind  and  con- 
science to  the  necessity  of  obtaining  salvation 
for  their  souls.  By  a  great  variety  of  means, 
God  stirs  up  sinful  men  to  seek  after  himself. 
Anxious,  excited,  apparently  earnest  and 
sincere,  they  set  out  upon  their  journey  back 
to  the  gracious  Being  whom  they  have  so 
long  neglected.  Yes  ;  they  really  set  out, 
and  appear  to  set  out  sincerely. 

I  do  not  mean  that  such  persons  feel  their 
need  and  danger ;  that  they  meditate  seri- 
ously upon  their  return  to  God  ;  that  they 
resolve  they  will  go  back.  No.  I  mean  that 
they  actually  begin  their  journey.  The  prod- 
igal not  only  says,  "I  will  arise  and  go  to 
my  father  ;"  he  does  arise  and  go.  Even  so 
far,  it  is  an  encouraging  and  happy  com- 
mencement.    But,  omy  dear  young  friends, 


84  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

there  is  more  to  be  considered  than  this 
promising  commencement.  Thus  far  the 
Orpahs  and  the  Ruths  set  out  together. 
Moved  by  fear,  or  love,  or  desire,  or  sense  of 
duty,  they  join  Naomi  in  her  journey  back  to 
Judah.  They  leave  the  place  in  which  they 
have  dwelt  in  Moab.  They  travel  together 
in  the  same  path,  toward  the  final  boundary 
between  Moab  and  Judah.  They  seem  en- 
gaged for  the  same  object,  and  in  the  same 
enterprise.  The  sins  and  follies  of  this  out- 
ward world,  they  all,  for  a  season,  relinquish. 
The  assemblies  of  Christians  for  worship, 
they  unite  to  attend.  The  habit  of  private 
prayer  and  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  they  all, 
for  a  season,  adopt.  Perhaps  in  the  most 
public  way  and  form,  they  may  together 
avow  themselves  the  servants  of  the  Lord. 
Whatever  can  be  done  in  religious  appear- 
ance, in  the  world,  and  without  an  absolute 
separation  of  heart  from  the  world,  they  may 
have  in  common.  The  wise  and  foolish 
virgins  both  take  their  lamps  and  go  forth 


THE    PROMISING    COMMENCEMENT.    85 

to  meet  the  bridegroom,  Thus  all  go  to- 
gether l:on  the  way  to  return  into  the  land 
of  Judah."  As  far  as  this  journey  lies  still 
within  the  limits  of  Moab,  so  far  they  may 
unite  to  go.  Up  to  a  certain  point,  they 
must  take  the  same  path;  and  travel  in  the 
same  direction. 

Ah,  how  many  of  these  young  travelers 
have  I  seen  !  The  Church  delighted  over 
them.  The  pastor  rejoiced  in  them.  Chris- 
tian friends  were  encouraged  by  them.  The 
brightest  and  most  blessed  hopes  clustered 
around  them.  The  Lord  only,  who  knoweth 
the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men,  could  have 
told  us  which  were  the  Orpahs,  and  which 
were  the  Euths  of  this  hopeful  company.  He 
knoweth  them  that  are  his,  and  can  not  be 
deceived.  His  judgment  at  the  last  separates 
the  precious  and  the  vile,  divides  the  gold 
from  the  dross,  and  assigns  to  each  his  own 
place.  But  that  judgment  he  does  not  an- 
nounce to  us  in  advance.  He  makes  experi- 
ence prove  them  ;  and  bids  us  mark  the  trial. 


86  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

As  he  said  of  Gideon's  soldiers,  "  Bring  them 
down  to  the  water;  and  I  will  try  them  for 
thee  there,"  so  he  proves  our  young  travelers 
for  us,  and  we  are  soon  made  to  see  who  they 
are  "  that  draw  back  into  perdition/'  and 
who  they  are  "  that  believe  to  the  saving  of 
the  soul."  For  a  season  they  must  be  al- 
lowed to  go  on  together.  Awakened,  con- 
vinced, interested  in  religion,  apparently 
equally  determined,  they  set  out  well.  We 
welcome  their  commencement.  We  encour- 
age them  to  perseverance.  We  bid  them 
hope  on  to  the  end,  for  the  grace  that  shall 
be  given  them.  We  urge  them  to  lay  hold 
on  eternal  life,  and  see  that  no  man  take 
their  crown.  Happy  should  we  be  did  they 
all  receive  our  exhortation. 

But  we  must  follow  our  travelers  in  their 
journey,  and  see  why  and  where  they  sepa- 
rate. As  we  thus  follow  them,  we  see  them 
meet  with  many  trials  of  faith  and  patience 
on  the  road.  Little  is  said  of  the  events  of 
Naomi's  journey.     But  it  is  an  easy  imagina* 


THE    PROMISING    COMMENCEMENT.     87 

tion  to  describe  the  trials  in  their  path. 
Three  lonely,  beggared  women,  undertaking, 
without  protection,  a  journey  like  that  from 
Moah  to  Bethlehem,  must  expect  many  trials 
in  the  way.  They  go  back  empty.  And  all 
the  sorrows  of  their  poverty,  their  solitude, 
their  weakness,  their  want  of  defense,  and  their 
fears  even  of  the  final  result  of  their  under- 
taking, are  easily  seen  and  imagined  by  us. 
Much  was  to  be  given  up.  Much  was  to  be 
encountered.  Much  was  to  be  feared.  And 
it  required  the  strongest  and  purest  motives 
of  conduct,  to  endure  the  trial.  Ah,  how 
accurately  the  illustration  applies  to  our  'pur- 
pose of  instruction  !  What  difficulties  the 
awakened  mind  finds  in  its  attempt  to  return 
to  Grod  I  And  if  we  leave  out  of  our  view 
the  renewing  and  triumphant  power  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  which  leads  the  sincere  heart  on 
from  grace  to  glory,  how  many  trials  of  faith 
and  patience  do  these  difficulties  present ! 

Your  former  habits   of  sin  are  to  be  re- 
nounced.    Your  secret  faults,  your  lines  of 


88  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

conscious  transgression,  known  only  to  your- 
selves, are  to  be  cast  away.  Many  indul- 
gences and  gratifications  that  you  have  loved 
are  to  be  thrown  aside  for  ever.  Many  cor- 
rupting and  ensnaring  ways  of  the  present 
evil  world,  to  which  you  have  been  accus- 
tomed, are  to  be  avoided.  The  habits  of 
Moab,  habits  which,  until  now,  you  never 
knew  or  thought  to  be  wrong  or  ruinous,  are 
to  be  opposed.  With  them  you  are  to  main- 
tain no  concord  or  agreement.  This  is  the 
putting  off  the  old  man,  corrupted  with  de- 
ceitful lusts,  and  strengthened  by  long  indul- 
gence. It  must  be  faithfully  accomplished. 
The  deeds  and  customs  of  Moab  can  not  follow 
you  to  Judah.  You  can  not  live  in  sin,  and 
be  conformed  to  the  world,  and  yet  live  and 
walk  in  Christ.  No.  You  must  break  off 
your  sins  by  righteousness.  The  old  things 
must  pass  away.  And  this  is  a  great  trial  of 
faith  and  patience.  If  it  could  be  done  by  a 
single  struggle,  if  one  fight  could  end  the 
contest,   the  work  would    be   comparatively 


THE   PROMISING   COMMENCEMENT.    89 

easy.  But  you*  can  not  leap  thus  with  a  single 
bound  from  Moab  to  Judah.  And  this  long- 
continued  journey,  these  repeated  struggles 
with  sin,  these  frequent  defeats  by  the  power 
of  remaining  evil,  these  distressing  fears  lest 
you  shall  never  get  through  in  safety,  lest 
you  shall  at  last  make  shipwreck  by  the  way 
— ah,  my  young  friends,  well  do  I  know  what 
trials  of  faith  and  patience  they  inevitably 
bring.  If  you  were  left  alone,  unprotected 
and  unguidecl,  you  would  surely  perish  by  the 
way. 

But,  in  addition  to  these,  new  habits  of 
conduct  and  feeling  are  to  be  acquired.  The 
habit  of  secret  prayer  in  your  closet  and  your 
chamber — the  habit  of  constant,  earnest  study 
of  the  Word  of  God — the  habit  of  watchful- 
ness over  your  easily-besetting  sins — the  habit 
of  caution  in  your  allowed  indulgences — the 
habit  of  consideration  and  discernment  in 
your  relations  and  company — the  habit  of 
resistance  to  your  inward  propensities  to  evil 
— the  habit  of  silence  from  sinful  and  foolish 


90  THE    KICH    KINSMAN. 

talking — the  habit  of  kindness,  in  expressions, 
manners,  and  actions  toward  others  —  the 
habit  of  disinterestedness  and  activity  in  yom 
efforts  to  do  good  to  all — and,  above  all,  the 
habit  of  constant  remembrance  of  God  your 
Saviour,  and  of  simple,  earnest  faith  in  his 
presence,  protection,  and  help  ;  all  these,  if 
I  should  mention  no  more,  are  to  be  acquired, 
cultivated,  and  maintained.  If  all  this  could 
be  done  by  a  single  effort,  it  would  be  easy 
work.  But  that  ;s  impossible.  It  is  a  jour- 
ney of  successive  steps,  of  continued  progress  ; 
and  you  have  to  press  forward  in  it  with  the 
utmost  determination,  and  the  most  sincere 
desire.  You  may  pass  through  many  discour- 
agements and  defeats  in  this  constant  effort 
to  put  on  the  new  man,  renewed  and  holy 
after  the  Saviour's  image.  Faith  and  patience 
will  have  many  trials  before  it  can  be  com- 
pletely done.  And  if  the  blessed  Spirit  of 
God  did  not  constantly  uphold  and  aid  you, 
all  your  own  efforts  would  be  in  vain.  But  I 
now  speak  of  these  things  only  as  the  subjects 


THE    PROMISING   COMMENCEMENT*.   91 

of  your  own  effort.     And  well  I  know  the  dif- 
ficulties of  the  work. 

But  above  all  these  habits  of  outward  life, 
you  have  to  come  with  the  deep  sense  of  sin, 
with  a  consciousness  that  you  are  condemned 
and  destitute,  with  an  entire  refusal  to  trust 
in  any  virtue  or  excellence  of  your  own,  and 
to  cast  yourself  in  an  affectionate  and  simple 
trust  at  your  Saviour's  feet. 

"  Foul,  I  to  the  fountain  fly ; 
Wash  me,  Jesus,  or  I  die." 

Yes.  You  are  there  to  believe  that  you 
are  forgiven,  accepted,  blessed  in  him,  though 
you  are  perfectly  guilty  and  helpless  in  your- 
self. Against  this  humbled,  self-renouncing 
temper,  every  thing  in  your  own  self-right- 
eous heart  struggles  and  contends  unceasing- 
ly. The  very  hardest  thing  in  this  journey 
from  Moab  to  Judah  is  to  maintain  a  feeling 
of  your  own  helplessness,  and  an  affectionate 
confidence  in  the  Saviour  who  has  redeemed 
you,  aDd  is  guiding  you  to  glory.  And  yet 
this  is  indispensable.     All  who  set  out  on 


92  *  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

this  return  to  God  must  meet  with  these 
various  trials  of  faith  and  patience  on  the 
road.  Whether  they  are  real  penitents  or 
not,  whether  they  are  truly  led  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  or  not,  whether  they  prove  to  be 
Orpahs  or  Kuths  in  the  result  of  the  trial, 
there  is  no  other  way  in  which  they  can  go. 
And  though  it  seems  to  be  hard,  and  Orpah 
finds  it  so,  and  gives  up,  wearied,  disgusted, 
and  a  cast-away,  yet  it  is  not  really  hard  to  a 
heart  that'loves  the  Saviour.  Kuth  finds  no- 
thing in  it  which  can  separate  her  from  the 
Lord  whom  she  loves,  and  whom  she  has  really 
chosen  as  her  portion  for  ever. 

We  see  these  young  travelers  meet  with 
many  discouragements  to  their  return.  How 
earnestly  Naomi  argues  with  them  to  search 
what  manner  of  spirits  they  were  of !  How 
kindly  she  presses  them  to  go  back,  and  find 
their  shelter  and  their  rest  among  the  friends 
whom  they  were  leaving  !  How  she  presses 
upon  their  remembrance  that  she  has  nothing 
to  offer  them,  no  hopes,  no  promises  to  hold 


THE    PROMISING    COMMENCEMENT.    93 

out,  of  present  or  prospective  worldly  gain ! 
How  she  mingles  the  expressions  of  her  grati- 
tude and  her  grief,  in  order  the  more  effect- 
ually to  impress  them  with  a  conviction  of  the 
earthly  poverty  of  the  journey  !  Again  and 
again  she  kissed  them  in  token  of  farewell. 
Again  and  again  they  wept  in  protestations 
of  their  fidelity  and  determination.  How  af- 
fecting, and  how  promising  seems  such  an 
interview  !  Kead  again  these  pathetic  verses. 
Did  Naomi  really  wish  to  discourage  them  ? 
Did  she  really  desire  them  to  go  back  ?  Was 
she  willing  to  leave  them  in  Moab  ?  Did 
Orpah  gratify  her  more  than  Kuth  ?  Far 
from  this.  She  would  try  their  faith  and 
their  affection.  She  would  know  what  was 
in  their  heart.  She  would  see  how  long  and 
how  truly  she  might  trust  them  hereafter. 
And  therefore  she  lays  before  them  the  sor- 
rows of  the  journey,  and  the  barrenness  of  the 
earthly  prospect. 

Thus  the  gracious  Saviour  proves  the  dis- 
ciples who  gather  around  him.     How  faith* 


94  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

fully  he  warned  those  who  followed  him  when 
he  was  on  the  earth  !  He  told  them  the  trials 
they  must  meet.  The  disciple  could  not  be 
above  his  master.  The  world  reproached, 
persecuted,  killed  him.  Those  who  followed 
must  drink  of  the  same  cup,  and  be  baptized 
with  the  same  baptism.  He  had  not  where 
to  lay  his  head.  In  the  service  of  such  a 
master  they  could  expect  no  earthly  wealth 
or  power.  They  would  find  his  service  brought 
not  worldly  peace,  but  a  sword.  Unless, 
therefore,  they  loved  him  enough  to  be  happy 
in  parting  with  with  every  thing  else  for  him, 
and  suffering  every  thing  for  his  sake,  they 
could  not  be  his  disciples.  Did  he  mean  to 
discourage  them,  or  to  drive  them  away  ? 
Did  he  wish  them  to  leave  him,  and  walk 
with  him  no  more  ?  Far,  far  from  that.  He 
desired  to  prove  them,  to  bring  out  to  their 
own  view  the  secret  motives  of  their  hearts, 
and  to  let  them  see  and  determine  whether 
they  could  still  follow  him,  when  they  had  no 
earthly  benefit  to  expect  in  his  service.  When 


THE   PROMISING   COMMENCEMENT.   95 

they  had  thus  been  tried,  and  could  feel 
able  to  say  from  their  hearts,  "  Lord,  thou 
knowest  all  things,  thou  knowest  that  we  love 
thee,"  then  their  way  was  safe,  happy,  and 
sure,  whatever  trials  of  faith  and  patience  it 
might  bring  them,  on  the  road. 

Thus  the  Saviour  still  tries  the  youthful 
disciples  who  come  to  him.  He  bids  you  re- 
member that  you  have  nothing  to  expect  in 
this  world,  of  mere  worldly  advantages,  in  his 
service.  He  will  make  you  happy  in  serving 
him.  «But  it  is  not  with  worldly  happiness. 
He  will  give  you  peace  in  him.  But  that 
will  be  in  your  losses  for  his  sake,  and  in  your 
willingness  to  part  with  all  for  him.  When 
you  come  to  serve  the  -Lord,  you  must  prepare 
your  soul  for  temptation.  From  the  day  you 
set  out  on  your  he-avenly  journey,  discourage- 
ments and  difficulties  will  seem  to  multiply 
around  you. 

The  world  will  be  arrayed  against  you. 
The  habits,  opinions,  and  plans  of  worldly 
people  are  constant  obstacles  in  your  way. 


96  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

They  will  ridicule  you.  They  will  frown 
upon  you.  They  will  scoff  at  you.  They 
will  entice  you.  They  will  attempt  to  be- 
wilder you  with  arguments  and  objections. 
They  will  often  compel  you  either  to  yield  to 
them,  or  to  live  and  walk  alone.  They  will 
be  often  in  your  families  and  households ;  it 
may  be,  your  nearest  earthly  relations,  whom 
it  is  impossible  to  avoid,  and  wicked  to 
despise.  Ah,  this  discouragement  is  very 
great.  And  whether  I  hear  the  enemy  blow- 
ing the  trumpet  of  threatening  hostility,  or 
breathing  the  soft  notes  of  attraction  and 
enticement  around  you,  I  look  upon  your 
young  religion  with  the  deepest  anxiety  and 
concern.  How  will  you  stand  it  ?  What  is 
to  be  the  result  of  it  ?  God  only  can  make 
you  stand. 

The  professed  Christians  around  you  are 
often  fearful  obstacles  in  your  way.  You 
see  and  hear  of  old  communicants  to  whom 
the  theater,  the  opera,  the  ball-room,  appear 
just  as  easily  habitual  as  the  church.     You 


THE   PROMISING    COMMENCEMENT.    97 

hv,*r  of  professed  ministers  of  the  Gospel 
apologizing  for  habits  of  the  most  complete 
devotion  to  the  world.  You  see  those  who 
profess  to  follow  Christ,  in  many  instances 
living  just  as  gayly,  as  extravagantly,  as  in- 
dulgently, often  as  sinfully,  as  if  they  had 
made  no  such  profession.  Few  of  them  love 
to  talk  with  you  of  Christ.  Fewer  still  to 
pray  with  you  for  his  blessing.  They  appear 
to  be  in  the  world,  of  the  world,  with  the 
world,  part  of  the  world,  and  you  can  see  no 
difference  between  the  two,  except  in  some 
occasional  public  religious  observance.  Ah, 
how  sad  is  the  influence  which  such  professors 
exercise  !  How  painful  to  the  young  Chris- 
tian traveler,  the  trial  of  faith  and  patience 
which  such  disappointments  in  character  pre- 
sent !  You  may  often  sigh  for  a  religious 
encouragement  from  them  which  you  do  not 
find ;  and  for  a  sympathy  for  your  tempted 
and  struggling  soul  which  they  seem  wholly 
unable  to  feel.  This  discouragement  is  great. 
Your  own  inward  heart  and  feelings  will 
5 


98  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

often  be  very  discouraging  to  you.  There  is 
such  backwardness  in  prayer — such  want  of 
deep  interest  in  the  Word  and  service  of 
God ; — there  are  such  multiplied  risings  of  the 
sinful  nature  that  seems  to  be  dwelling  with- 
in you  ; — there  is  so  little  of  the  excitement 
which  you  hoped  to  find — so  little  sensible 
enjoyment  often  in  your  new  path — such  a 
necessity  for  constant  warfare,  and  constant 
watchfulness  within  yourself.  If  you  relax  a 
moment,  you  fall.  If  you  stop  to  rest,  you 
sink  in  hazardous,  ruinous  lethargy  and 
slumber.  Your  conscience  often  seems  little 
at  peace  ;  such  a  sense  of  sin  prevails,  and 
pervades  through  your  secret  thoughts.  The 
toiling  up  and  down  these  hills  of  Moab — the 
hours  of  weariness  which  must  be  passed 
before  you  see  the  promised  land  before  you — 
the  many  dangers  to  be  met  before  you  can 
say  or  feel  that  you  are  safe  ; — Ah,  these  are 
great  discouragements,  great  trials  to  your 
faith  and  patience.  Nothing  can  stand  them 
or   endure  through  them   but  a  heart   thai 


THE    PROMISING    COMMENCEMENT.      99 

really  loves  Jesus  more  than  all  the  world, 
and  a  spirit  that  willingly  sacrifices  itself  for 
his  service  and  glory.  If  this  is  your  heart 
and  spirit,  then  all  these  discouragements  are 
instruments  of  new  strength.  Orpah  may 
feel  dispirited  and  weary.  Kuth  only  loves 
the  more,  the  more  she  is  tried.  To  Orpah 
the  way  grows  more  unattractive  and  tedious 
as  she  goes  on.  To  Ruth,  every  step  brings 
new  determination,  and  new  desire  to  press 
on  even  to  the  end. 

Thus  we  see  these  young  travelers  set  out. 
They  go  on  together.  Again  they  said  to 
Naomi,  "  Surely  we  will  return  with  thee  unto 
thy  people."  She  was  happy  in  not  knowing 
yet  the  difference  between  them.  She  could 
therefore  encourage  both  with  the  assurance, 
that  what  she  had  they  should  have,  and 
where  she  should  find  a  home,  they  also 
should  participate  with  her.  It  is  our  place 
to  encourage  all  who  appear  to  set  out  sin- 
cerely in  the  Lord's  service.  It  is  not  for  us 
to  turn  any  back.     We  stand  at  the  Saviour's 


100  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

door,  glad  to  receive  all  who  are  willing  to 
come.  He  only  can  search  the  heart.  We 
are  not  to  break  the  bruised  reed,  or  to 
quench  the  smoking  flax.  We  cast  the 
Saviour's  net,  and  strive  to  bring  it  to  the 
shore.  He  only  can  separate  the  evil  from 
the  good,  and  say  who  are  his,  and  who  is 
holy.  We  give  the  Saviour's  gracious  invi- 
tations to  all  who  hear.  We  beg  them  to 
come  to  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb. 
We  say  to  all  our  youth,  "  Ye  are  bought 
with  a  price.  Come  to  the  Saviour's  feet. 
Come  to  the  Shepherd's  tent.  Come  one. 
Come  all.  Why  should  any  of  you  remain 
to  perish  in  Moab.  Come,  find  your  home  in 
the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever."  It  is  for  the 
Lord  alone  to  say,  "  How  earnest  thou  in 
hither,  not  having  on  a  vedding  garment  ?" 
We  urge  you,  then,  my  dear  young  friends, 
now  to  begin  your  journey  to  life  eternal,  to 
become  at  once  the  friends  and  followers  of 
our  glorious  Lord,  to  give  your  names  and 
your  heari  s  to  Christ,  and  to  join  us  in  our 


THE    PROMISING   COMMENCEMENT.   101 

happy  pilgrimage  to  the  land  of  everlasting 
rest,  to  receive  the  wedding-garment  of  his 
perfect  righteousness  and  glorious  salvation, 
and  become  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the 
Lord  Almighty.  It  will  be  a  blessed  day  for 
you  on  which  you  thus  set  out.  It  will  be  a 
perfectly  sure  and  prosperous  journey  for  you, 
if  you  sincerely  enter  upon  it,  with  your  heart 
determined  to  serve  and  follow  the  Great 
Captain  of  our  Salvation  who  goes  before  us. 
You  need  never  turn  back  to  the  vanities 
and  sins  of  Moab  which  you  thus  renounce. 
Your  path  may  be  "like  the  shining  light 
which  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  per- 
fect day."  "  The  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say, 
Come  ;  and  let  him  that  heareth  say,  Come  ; 
and  let  him  that  is  athirst  come  ;  and  who- 
soever will,  let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life 
freely." 


V. 

%\t  f sinful  Stprstiirn. 

And  they  lifted  up  their  voices,  and  wept  again.  And  Orpah  kissed  hei 
mother-in-law;  hut  Euth  clave  unto  her.  And  she  said,  Behold, 
thy  sister-in-law  is  gone  hack  unto  her  people,  and  unto  her  gods; 
return  thou  after  thy  sister-in-law." — Er/xn,  i.  14, 15. 

Nothing  can  be  more  encouraging  to  the 
Christian  heart  than  to  see  the  young  setting 
out  to  seek  the  Lord.  It  is  a  beautiful 
exercise  and  exhibition  of  youth.  Never  do 
the  morning  hours  appear  so  bright  or  so 
promising.  God  hath  said,  "  They  that  seek 
me  early  shall  find  me."  We  well  know  that 
some  will  go  back  who  appear  to  set  out  well. 
Our  past  experience  leads  us  not  to  hope  too 
confidently  in  individual  cases,  or  to  expect 
too  much  of  particular  persons.  But  we 
know  that  none  can  gain  the  blessings  unless 


THE   PAINFUL   SEPARATION.         103 

they  do  set  out.  There  is  a  necessary  begin- 
ning to  a  religions  life,  as  well  as  to  human 
life  itself.  There  is  a  commencement  to  our 
heavenly  journey  as  well  as  to  our  earthly 
journey.  And  as  we  can  never  know  in  the 
beginning  who  will  persevere,  or  who  will 
draw  back,  we  rejoice  to  see  them  all  set  out. 
We  can  not  suspect  the  sincerity  of  any,  and 
therefore  we  encourage  them  and  urge  them 
all  to  press  forward,  and  be  faithful  unto 
death,  and  not  to  lose  the  crown  and  prize 
for  which  they  start. 

We  have  seen  these  youthful  travelers  go- 
ing with  Naomi  out  of  the  place  where  they 
dwelt,  on  the  way  to  return  unto  the  land  of 
Judah.  For  a  time  they  travel  together  hap- 
pily and  affectionately.  There  seems  no  pros- 
pect of  their  separation.  We  have  no  reason 
yet  to  suspect  the  integrity  or  the  love  of 
either  of  the  two.  But  they  come  at  last  to 
a  point,  where,  if  they  are  to  separate,  the 
hour  of  separation  has  arrived.  There  is  a 
line  which  divides  Moab  from  Judah.     Naomi 


104  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

has  no  question  in  her  plans.  She  is  certainly 
going  on,  whatever  trials  the  journey  may 
cost.  All  her  hopes  and  interests  are  in  Ju- 
dah.  If  her  daughters-in-law  mean  to  go 
with  her,  or  if  either  of  them  has  wavered  in 
the  determination,  here  is  the  point  at  which 
they  must  finally  decide.  Perhaps  it  is  not 
easy  to  decide.  There  are  many  reasons  and 
motives  to  he  weighed  and  considered,  before 
they  finally  deckle.  There  are  many  interests 
involved  in  the  decision.  Difficulties  and 
objections  arise  on  both  sides.  But  the  de- 
cision must  be  made.  It  may  be  they  will 
delay  the  decision  as  long  as  they  can.  If 
either  of  them  shall  hesitate  to  go  further, 
the  kindness  and  love  of  the  other  will  laboi 
to  postpone  the  final  determination.  But 
this  final  determination  can  not  be  avoided. 
It  must  be  met  at  last.  And  this  is  the  sub- 
ject of  our  present  thought,  the  painful  sepa- 
ration. Orpah  at  last  avows  the  real  purpose 
of  her  heart.  She  kisses  her  mother-in-law 
in   a   final  farewell,  and   goes  back  to   her 


THE    PAINFUL    SEPARATION.       105 

people  and  her  gods.  Kuth  cleaves  to  her, 
and  goes  forward  with  her  to  the  land  of  Ju- 
dah,  and  to  the  people  and  the  God  of  Israel. 
Nothing  can  separate  her  love  from  Naomi. 
Nothing  shall  he  allowed  to  turn  her  hack 
from  seeking  and  serving  Naomi's  God. 

This  is  a  painful,  hut  an  inevitahle  crisis. 
The  two  sisters  must  separate.  They  actually 
do  separate.  They  have  loved  each  other. 
They  have  dwelt  together,  rejoiced  together, 
mourned  together,  suffered  together,  journeyed 
together.  But  they  have  come  to  a  point  at 
which  they  find  they  have  no  longer  a  real 
sympathy,  or  a  common  ohject  in  life,  or  the 
same  state  of  mind  and  feeling.  And  these 
affectionate  friends  must  separate.  Two  can 
not  walk  together,  except  they  he  agreed.  In 
the  main  end  and  purpose  of  their  journey — 
in  the  direction  in  which  they  shall  journey — 
.  they  do  not  agree.     They  must  separate. 

There  is  just  such  a  line  in  our  soul's  his- 
tory, my  dear  young  friends,  where  a  similar 

entire  separation  must  take  place.     The  dear- 
5* 


106  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

est  friends,  the  nearest  relations,  parents  and 
children,  sisters  and  brothers,  are  compelled 
to  divide,  and  choose  entirely  different  and 
contrary  paths.  The  awakened  mind  sees  its 
own  sinfulness  and  need,  acknowledges  the 
darkness  and  emptiness  of  the  Moab  in  whieh. 
it  has  dwelt,  and  to  which  it  has  belonged  ; 
and  truly  feels  the  importance  and  the  value 
of  those  blessed  offers  and  promises,  which 
the  Gospel  proclaims.  The  Holy  Spirit  has 
taught  the  sinner  the  guiltiness  and  wretch- 
edness of  his  past  life  ;  and  has  made  him 
feel  how  much  better  it  would  be  for  him  to 
be  really  a  Christian,  and  a  child  of  God.  He 
knows,  he  sees,  he  feels  the  truth.  But  he 
does  not  love  the  truth.  He  does  not  embrace 
and  choose  it  for  his  own,  his  portion  for  ever. 
He  acknowledges  his  sinfulness.  He  mourns 
over  his  wasted  life.  He  confesses  the  bless- 
edness and  peace  which  they  have  who  love 
and  serve  the  Lord.  He  hears  the  invitation 
addressed  to  him,  to  come  and  partake  of  the 
same  blessedness  in  the  Redeemer  of  the  lost. 


THE   PAINFUL   SEPARATION.        107 

He  comes  to  a  line  where  he  must  eithei 
choose  the  Saviour,  and  go  with  him,  or  re- 
fuse him,  and  go  back  again  to  his  rebellion 
and  sin.  He  must  choose  whom  he  will 
serve  ;  for  to  serve  one  master  or  the  other — 
either  the  Saviour  or  the  destroyer — is  his 
unavoidable  portion.  He  needs  no  more  light 
or  knowledge.  He  fully  sees  the  misery  and 
danger  of  his  state.  He  knows  that  he  is  not 
a  Christian,  and  can  not  be  safe  in  this  con- 
dition of  his  soul.  He  wants  now  only  the 
actual  forgiveness  and  renewing  of  his  heart 
which  the  Gospel  offers  him.  His  mind  is 
enlightened.  His  conscience  is  awakened. 
His  judgment  is  convinced.  And  nothing 
remains  but  to  give  his  heart  to  Jesus,  and  to 
say,  in  humble  dependence  on  his  grace, 
"  Lord,  I  will  go  wkh  thee  ;  thou  hast  the 
words  of  eternal  life.  I  am  thy  servant ;  thou 
hast  loosed  my  bonds." 

If  he  would  really  do  this,  all  would  be 
well.  But  this  he  refuses.  His  heart  he  can 
not,  will  not  give  to  Christ.     Any  thing  else 


108  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

he  will  do.  But  nothing  else  will  avail  him 
any  thing.  He  will  he  "baptized.  But  bap- 
tism  can  not  save  him.  He  will  he  confirmed. 
But  this  is  not  salvation.  He  will  come  to 
the  tahle  of  the  Lord.  But  there  is  no  salva- 
tion for  him  there.  He  will  fast  and  pray. 
He  will  toil  and  lahor  in  his  own  self-right- 
eous plans.  He  will  try  to  cleanse  the  out- 
side of  the  cup  and  the  platter,  and  resolve  to 
walk  religiously  in  outward  works.  But  all 
this  is  not  salvation.  He  will  not  "believe 
with  his  heart  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  He  will 
not  yield  his  willing  soul  a  dwelling-place  for 
Christ.  He  will  not  give  himself  freely  up, 
as  a  living  sacrifice  to  the  divine  Saviour.  He 
will  not  believe  the  precious  assurances  of  his 
Word.  He  will  not,  can  not  choose  to  be  the 
Lord's  alone.  This  is  a  line  he  can  not  cross. 
And  here  he  must  separate  from  the  people 
of  God,  though  they  have  traveled  long  to- 
gether. They  must  go  on,  and  he  will  not. 
They  can  not  tarry  for  him,  and  he  still  hesi- 
tates to  arise  and  go. 


THE    PAINFUL   SEPARATION.         109 

Poor  Orpah !  How  often  have  I  seen 
young  travelers  to  eternity  stopping  just 
where  you  stop ;  hesitating  just  where  you  hes- 
itate ;  and  then  going  back  just  where  you  go 
back.  Nothing  more  can  be  done  for  you 
where  you  are.  There  is  Moab.  You  have 
tried  that,  and  found  it  empty  and  unhappy. 
There  is  Judah.  All  its  provisions  and  offers 
are  before  you,  and  brought  for  your  accept- 
ance. Never  will  you  be  sorry  if  you  take 
your  portion  there.  Here  are  Naomi  and 
Kuth.  They  are  journeying  to  the  land 
which  the  Lord  hath  promised  them.  Soon 
they  will  be  far  from  you,  out  of  your  sight. 
Then  you  will  mourn  over  the  separation 
which  you  foolishly  made. 

"  While  you  gaze,  with  speed  surprising 
Down  the  vale  they  sink  from  sight; 
Gazing  still,  you  see  them  rising, 
Like  an  angel,  clothed  in  light." 

Why  will  you  not  go  with  them,  and  with 
them  become  an  heir  together  of  the  grace  of 
life  ?  But  Orpah  goes  back — to  her  people 
and  to  her  gods. 


110  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

"  It  is  a  painful  separation.  "  They  lifted 
up  their  voices  and  wept."  Naomi  and  Ruth 
mourn  with  the  sincerest  pity.  Many  a  time 
will  they  look  back  and  exclaim  in  sorrow, 
"  Oh,  Orpah,  Orpah  !  that  thou  hadst  been 
wise,  at  least  in  this  thy  day,  to  think  of  the 
tilings  which  belong  unto  thy  peace  !  But 
now  they  are  hidden  from  thine  eyes."  The 
true  children  of  God  can  not  help  sorrowing 
over  those  whom  they  are  compelled  to  leave 
behind  to  perish  in  the  world.  Far  enough 
are  they  from  triumphing  over  them  in  their 
lost  estate.  Ah,  my  brother  !  Ah,  sister ! 
Ah,  my  child  !  will  often  burst  from  many  a 
happy  heart  that  really  has  no  other  earthly 
sorrow  than  this.  In  all  their  journey  to  the 
kingdom  which  they  are  to  receive,  they  will 
call  these  children  of  vanity  to  their  mind. 
In  secret  places  they  will  weep  over  them, 
and  pray  for  them.  Often  from  some  hill- 
top on  their  road,  will  they  turn  back  to 
look,  and  strain  their  sight  to  discover  if  they 
may  not  even  yet  be  following  them  far  be- 


THE    PAINFUL    SEPARAIION.       Ill 

hind.     It  seems  inscrutable,  inexplicable  to 
them.     Why  will  they  perish  ?     So  simple, 
so  easy,  so  happy,  appears  the  salvation  of 
the  Gospel,  that  they  Avoncler  Avhy  any  should 
reject  its  offers,  or  refuse  their  part  in  the 
blessings  which  it  brings.     Every  step  in  the 
journey  is  pleasanter  and  happier  than  the 
last.     The  ways  of  religion  seem  to  be  the 
ways  of  pleasantness  and  peace.     The  path 
to  Immanuers  land  becomes  all  the  time  less 
burdensome  and  more  attractive.     And  often 
the  thought  comes  over  the  mind,  as  some 
poor  worldly  friend  and  companion  is  remem- 
bered, "0  that  they  knew  how  great  peace 
we  have,  who  love  his  law."     The  most  tender 
sympathy  and  desire  for  those  who  are  still 
in  the  world,  unpardoned  and  unsaved,  is  a 
constantly  increasing  influence  in  their  hearts, 
to  the  end  of  their  course.     And  to  them  it  is 
a  painful,  heart-rending  separation,  which  di- 
vides the  children  of  God  from  the  children 
of  the  world. 

But  Naomi  and  Ruth  do  not  weep  alone, 


112  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

Orpah  finds  the  separation  as  painful  as  they. 
Sad  to  her  was  the  moment  when  they  turned 
their  backs  upon  each  other,  and  she  began 
alone  the  way  of  her  return.  Sad  was  every 
succeeding  moment,  as  she  journeyed  back 
alone  to  her  people  and  her  gods.  Naomi 
and  Euth  she  really  loved.  It  was  no  desire 
to  leave  them  which  made  her  separate  from 
them.  And  could  we  know  her  history,  we 
should  doubtless  find  in  it  many  a  sorrowful 
and  weeping  hour,  as  she  thought  of  these 
friends  of  her  youth,  whom  she  was  to  see  no 
more. 

It  is  the  history  which  we  have  seen  in  the 
child  of  the  world,  over  and  over  again.  You 
may  renounce  the  Saviour,  and  walk  with 
him  no  more.  You  may  go  back  to  Moab, 
and  bury  yourself  in  its  sins  and  follies.  But 
you  will  find  no  peace  or  happiness  there. 
Your  conscience  will  never  again  allow  you  to 
rest.  You  may  plunge  into  gratifications  and 
indulgences.  You  may  pretend  to  be  pleased. 
But  it  is  all  pretense.     Your  heart  is  hollow, 


THE    PAINFUL    SEPARATION.        113 

self-condemning,  and  sad.  You  may  try  to 
hate  and  oppose  the  truth.  You  may  avoid 
the  Gospel,  and  the  church  of  God.  You 
may  resolve  you  will  not  feel,  and  will  not 
think.  But  ah,  it  is  all  in  vain.  Many  an 
hour  of  reflection  and  sorrow  will  come,  when 
your  own  hypocrisy  will  accuse  and  condemn 
you.  Then  you.  will  bitterly  feel  how  mad 
and  foolish  has  been  the  course  you  have  pur- 
sued. Whether  you  choose  a  Saviour  or 
oppose  him,  the  world  can  never  meet  your 
wants,  or  minister  peace  to  your  soul.  You 
will  come  to  sorrow,  and  weep  alone.  You 
will  come  to  poverty,  and  find  no  support. 
You  will  come  to  sickness,  and  have  no  com- 
forter. You  will  come  to  death,  and  possess 
no  hope.  You  will  look  forward  to  eternity 
in  dark  despair.  There  will  be  many  a  time 
in  your  life  when  you  will  recall  the  hour  in 
which  you  were  almost  a  Christian  with  un- 
utterable anguish.  From  some  distant  hill 
of  Moab  your  eye  will  catch  a  view  of  Naomi 
and  Kuth,  calmly  and  steadfastly  accomplish- 


114  THE    EICH    KINSMAN. 

ing  their  journey,  and  your  soul  will  sink 
under  the  sad  recollection  that  you  also 
might  have  been  with  them,  and  have  rejoiced 
in  the  blessed  hopes  and  prospects  which  they 
possess.  Ah,  never  think  of  finding  peace  in 
Moab.  Your  own  heart  will  condemn  you. 
The  world  itself  will  despise  you.  God  will 
seem  to  frown  upon  you  every  day.  All 
things  will  appear  to  be  against  you  there. 
There  is  no  peace  there.  You  will  feel  and 
acknowledge  to  yourself  the  happiest  day  of 
your  life  was  that  on  which  you  set  out  to 
seek  the  Lord ;  the  saddest,  that  on  which 
you  turned  back  to  find  your  portion  in  the 
world.  "  They  lifted  up  their  voices  and 
wept"  again.  And  thus  will  Orpah  often  do 
in  the  remembrance  of  the  folly  of  this  day. 

Painful,  however,  as  the  separation  may 
be,  Orpah  will  go  no  further.  "  Orpah  kissed 
her  mother-in-law."  It  was  the  respectful 
but  sad  token  of  the  inward  state  of  her  own 
mind.  This  was  now  her  choice,  her  own 
voluntary  determination.     It  was  vain  to  say 


THE    PAINFUL   SEPARATION.        115 

she  could  not  go.  There  was  no  other  real 
difficulty  than  that  which  was  within  herself. 
There  was  a  price  put  into  her  hands  to  get 
wisdom,  but  she  had  no  heart  to  it.  The 
inducements  were  not  powerful  enough  to 
overcome  her  aversion  to  the  journey.  The 
object  did  not  seem  a  sufficient  compensation 
for  the  difficulties  to  be  met.  The  separation 
from  her  friends  in  Moab  required  a  sacrifice 
which  she  had  not  the  heart  to  make.  And, 
worst  of  all,  the  foul  and  filthy  gods  of  Moab 
she  still  really  preferred  to  the  worship  and 
service  of  the  God  of  Israel.  Orpah  acts  out 
her  own  choice  and  her  own  determination  in 
a  perfectly  voluntary  return.  She  certainly 
might  have  gone  on  with  her  companions  had 
she  desired  it.  But  her  heart  is  still  in  Moab, 
and  to  Moab  she  chooses  to  go  back. 

Can  you  ever  give  any  other  account  of  a 
sinful  refusal  of  the  Saviour's  love,  and  apos- 
tasy from  his  service  ?  "Ye  will  not  come  to 
me  that  ye  might  have  life."  "  0  that  there 
were  such  an  heart  in  them  that  they  would 


116  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

fear  me  and  keep  my  commandments  !"  The 
offers  and  invitations  of  the  Gospel  are  given 
to  you  with  perfect  freedom.  The  divine 
Spirit  works  within  you  to  teach  you  the 
truth,  and  to  guide  you  in  the  heavenly  way. 
God  gives  you  power  and  strength  to  do  his 
will,  according  to  your  day.  But  he  requires 
you  always  to  choose  for  yourself  whom  you 
will  serve.  Your  service  must  be  perfect 
freedom.  When  his  children  accept  his 
offered  mercy,  and  give  themselves  up  to  his 
service,  it  is  a  perfectly  cheerful  and  volun- 
tary act.  And  when  you  refuse  his  grace, 
and  draw  back  from  his  commandments,  you 
feel  that  you  act  with  perfect  freedom,  and 
do  simply  that  which  you  desire  to  do.  How- 
ever long  you  may  halt  between  two  opinions, 
you  do  finally  choose  for  yourself  whether  you 
shall  serve  God  or  Baal.  If  you  go  back  to 
the  world,  you  choose  death  rather  than  life — 
you  love  darkness  rather  than  light.  You 
are  therefore  without  excuse,  and  can  blame 


THE    PAINFUL   SEPARATION*.        117 

none  but  yourselves  when  you  reap  the  bitter 
fruits  of  your  own  sowing. 

Thus,  like  Orpah,  you  stand.  The  Sa- 
viour invites  you.  You  will  not  come.  He 
assures  you  of  his  forgiveness.  You  will  not 
believe  him.  He  offers  you  his  free  salvation. 
You  refuse  to  receive  it.  He  holds  out  to 
you  his  boundless  gifts  of  love.  You  will 
not  stretch  forth  your  hands  to  receive 
them.  He  says  to  you,  Open  thy  mouth  and 
I  will  fill  it.  You  clinch  your  teeth,  and 
refuse  to  comply.  He  begs  you.  He  intreats 
you.  Why  will  you  die  ?  You  turn  from 
him  with  your  own  free  determination,  and 
choose  the  death  against  which  he  so  solemnly 
warns  you.  It  may  be  you  do  all  this  re- 
spectfully, quietly,  and  with  an  expression 
of  regret.  But  you  do  it  freely,  and  of  your 
own  full  accord.  "  Orpah  kissed  her  mother- 
in-law."  But  she  deserted  her,  and  went 
"  back  to  her  people  and  her  gods."  Ah, 
this  is  a  fearful  lesponsibility.  You  pluck 
down  ruin  on  your  own  head.     You  plunge 


118  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

your  precious  soul  into  a  voluntary  destruc- 
tion. And  when  we  fondly  hoped  you  would 
travel  with  us  to  our  Father's  house,  we  see 
you  turn  your  back  upon  us,  and  join  your- 
self to  strangers,  and  go  with  the  destroyer. 
Yet  you  take  the  whole  responsibility  upon 
yourself.  Your  final  destruction  is  your  own 
act,  and  the  result  of  your  own  choice.  "  0 
Israel,  thou  hast  destroyed  thyself,  when  in 
me  was  thy  help."  Painful  was  the  separa- 
tion. But  it  was  still  the  more  so  on  this 
account.  It  was  Orpah's  own  unfaithful 
choice. 

Orpah  goes  "back  to  her  people  and  her 
gods."  This  is  a  most  important  fact  in  her 
history.  She  does  not,  can  not  remain  where 
they  part.  That  is  a  place  most  unnatural 
and  unattractive.  No  ;  she  goes  back,  while 
Kuth  and  Naomi  go  forward.  The  sepa- 
ration grows  wider  every  hour.  They  are 
more  and  more  apart,  as  each  day  traces 
their  different  courses.  She  may  often  think 
of  them  when  she  is  among  her  people  and 


THE   PAINFUL    SEPARATION.        119 

ner  gods.  She  may  often  regret  that  she  left 
them.  She  may  wish  over  and  over  again 
that  she  were  with  them  once  more.  But  the 
separation  is  final.  She  joins  them  no  more. 
This  is  a  most  affecting  illustration.  The 
awakened  and  convinced  mind  can  never 
abide  at  the  line  where  a  Saviour  is  refused. 
There  is  no  permanency  in  such  a  state  of 
mind.  There  is  no  home  for  the  soul  there. 
When  once  you  have  thus  grieved  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  driven  the  Lord  Jesus  from  the 
door  of  your  heart,  and  answered  to  his  invi- 
tation, "I  will  not  come  ;"  then  the  guiding 
Spirit  leaves  you,  the  restraining  grace  is 
withdrawn  from  you,  the  dews  and  the  rain  of 
the  Lord's  Word  fall  upon  you  in  vain. 

Yes — you  go  back.  It  may  be  to  self-indul- 
gence, dissipation,  and  sensual  delights.  It 
may  be  to  giddiness,  frivolity,  and  empty, 
cheerless  mirth.  It  may  be  to  business,  covet- 
ousness,  and  unceasing  occupation.  It  may  be 
to  infidelity,  and  assumed  unbelief  and  argu- 
ment.    It  may  be  to  open  hostility  and  per- 


120  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

secution  of  the  Gospel;  and  those  who  love  it. 
It  may  be  to  absolute  and  dreadful  hardness 
of  heart.  But  to  whatever  it  shall  be,  you 
still  go  back.  The  more  conscience  disturbs 
you  within,  still  with  the  more  determination 
you  go  back.  You  resolve  that  Moab  shall 
be  your  home  ;  its  people,  your  people ;  its 
gods,  your  gods.  The  worst  opposers  of  the 
Gospel  we  ever  meet  are  those  who  once  were 
almost  Christians.  The  bitterest  persecutors 
of  Christ  are  those  who  once  set  out  well 
to  be  his  servants  and  friends.  It  was  a 
fallen  disciple  who  sold  Him  to  his  enemies, 
and  went  and  hanged  himself.  Sad  is  the 
history  of  this  return  to  Moab.  What  you  shall 
be,  it  does  not  now  appear.  Could  Ave  trace 
the  history  of  many  a  backslider,  as  events 
will  bring  it  out,  he  would  start  back  with 
the  exclamation,  "Is  thy  servant  a  dog,  that 
he  should  do  this  thing  ?" 

You  fall,  and  ah,  how  deeply  !  And  when 
you  attempt  to  follow  out  this  worldly  course, 
what  have  you  gained  ?   What  can  you  gain  ? 


THE   PAINFUL   SEPARATION.         121 

"There  is  no  peace  to  the  wicked."  Had 
you'  the  whole  world  as  your  price,  it  would 
leave  your  heart  just  as  wretched  and  empty 
still.  It  will  have  been  better  for  you  never 
to  have  known  the  way  of  truth.  The  ver? 
heathen  will  rise  up  in  the  judgment  with 
you  and  condemn  you. 

But  you  say  you  will  hereafter  return  to 
Christ.  You  can  not  do  this,  but  by  his  own 
Spirit.  And  that  Spirit  you  have  driven  far 
from  you.  There  is  a  morning  which  cometh 
on  the  earth  when  the  night  has  passed. 
But  you  have  chosen  darkness  which  has  no 
succeeding  light.  There  is  a  spring  that 
returneth  in  creation,  when  the  winter  has 
gone.  But  you  have  buried  the  sacred  seed 
of  your  soul's  welfare  beneath  a  winter  which 
knows  no  coming  spring.  You  will  mourn 
at  the  last,  when  your  flesh  and  your  body 
are  consumed.  But  it  will  be  with  a  worldly 
sorrow  which  worketh  death,  and  not  with  a 
godly  sorrow  which  worketh  repentance  unto 
salvation.     No,  never,  so  far  as  man  can  say, 


122  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

will  you  return  again.  You  have  resisted  all 
the  influence  you  can  ever  receive.  You  have 
rejected  all  the  light  and  arguments  which 
will  ever  be  bestowed.  Your  necessary  course, 
your  inevitable  course,  is  to  sink  still  further 
down  in  the  path  of  your  chosen  sin,  until 
God  has  sworn  in  his  wrath  you  shall  not 
enter  into  his  rest.  You  go  "  back  to  your 
people  and  your  gods."  But  you  find  no  rest 
there.  You  doom  yourself  to  a  life  of  sorrow 
and  a  death  of  despair.  And  when  the  earth 
and  the  sea  shall  give  up  their  dead,  "  repro- 
bate silver  shall  men  call  you,  for  the  Lord 
hath  rejected  you." 

Many  years  since  I  was  called,  late  at  night, 
to  visit  a  young  man,  dying,  at  a  boarding- 
house  in  my  neighborhood.  He  was  an  officer 
in  the  army,  returning  from  the  Florida  war. 
He  was  a  model  of  youthful  beauty.  His 
black  hair  curled  over  a  forehead  like  ala- 
baster, and  his  long  eyelashes  shaded  eyes  of 
the  most  brilliant  hue.  His  countenance  was 
deeply  interesting.      I   sat   beside  him,  and 


THE    PAINFUL    SEPARATION.        123 

began  to  tell  him  of  the  Saviour's  dying  love  ; 
of  the  atoning  sacrifice  of  the  Lamb  for  sin- 
ners. "Don't  talk  to  me  of  that/'  he  ex- 
claimed ;  "  I  will  not  hear  you.  I  know  it  all 
as  well  as  you.  I  know  it  is  all  true.  I  was 
taught  it  in  my  youth.  I  loved  it  then.  But 
I  gave  it  up.  I  threw  my  Bible  away.  I 
tried  to  disbelieve  it.  I  scoffed  at  it.  And 
now  it  is  impossible.  I  know  it  is  all  true. 
But  it  is  not  for  me."  I  entreated  him  to 
hear  me,  but  he  would  not.  Vainly  did  I 
pour  out  the  riches  of  the  Kedeemer's  grace 
before  him.  "  It  is  not  for  me.  I  knew  it 
once.  But  it  is  too  late  now."  He  became 
intensely  excited.  I  said  at  last,  let  me  pray 
for  you.  "  No,  you  shall  not.  No  man  shall 
pray  for  me.  I  will  not  hear  you."  I  per- 
sisted. But  he  covered  himself  over  with  the 
bed-clothes,  and  turned  his  back  to  me,  and 
tried  to  keep  out  the  very  sound  of  the  words. 
My  effort  was  vain.  I  returned  to  my  house 
at  midnight.  Early  in  the  morning  I  went 
round  again.    But  the  crape  suspended  to  the 


124  THE   RICH    KINSMAK, 

bcll-hanclle  told  me  he  was  gone.  It  was  a 
sorrowful  departure.  The  departure  of  a 
young  apostate. 

This  is  the  fearful  prospect  in  your  return 
with  Orpah.  0,  my  young  friends,  drive  the 
tempter  from  you.  Listen  to  the  voice  of  the 
Spirit.  Hear  the  Saviour's  call.  See  the  at- 
tractive glories  of  ImmanueFs  land.  Oast  in 
your  lot  with  the  people  of  God.  Come,  go 
thou  with  us  to  Bethlehem,  and  feed  upon 
that  bread  of  God  which  giveth  life  for  ever. 


VI. 


And  Euth  said,  Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  or  to  return  from  follow 
ing  after  thee;  for  whither  thou  goest  I  will  go;  and  where  thou 
lodgest  I  will  lodge;  thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my 
God ;  where  thou  diest  will  I  die,  and  there  will  I  be  buried ;  the 
Lord  do  so  to  me,.and  more  also,  if  aught  but  death  part  thee  and  me. 
When  she  saw  that  she  was  steadfastly  minded  to  go  with  her,  then 
she  left  speaking  unto  her. — Ruth,  i.  16-18. 


We  have  just  stood  at  the  line  which  sepa- 
rates Moab  from  Judah.  We  have  parted 
with  Orpah,  and  have  seen  her  go  back  to  her 
people  and  her  gods.  Ah,  who  could  look 
upon  her  but  with  distress  ?  How  much  she 
has  lost !  What  a  sacrifice  she  has  made  ! 
How  vain  and  foolish  has  been  her  choice  ! 
How  certain  is  it  that  she  will  find  it  so  in 
the  end  !  How  sad  will  be  her  future  sorrow, 
coming  too  late  !    Like  poor  Esau,  who  sold 


126  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

his  birthright  and  lost  his  blessing.  Though 
he  cried  with  an  exceeding  bitter  cry,  "  My 
father,  hast  thou  but  one  blessing  ?  Bless 
me  also,  0  my  father," — he  found  no  place  for 
rej>entance,  though  he  sought  it  carefully 
with  tears. 

This  dividing  line  we  find  running  between 
the  kingdom  of  God  and  the  guilty  world  of 
men.  There  is  this  actual,  entire  division 
between  the  children  of  God,  and  the  children 
of  the  wicked  one.  They  are  conrpletely  sep- 
arated. You  can  not  mingle  them  perma- 
nently together.  You  may  try,  like  some 
little  child,  to  make  the  oil  and  water  mix, 
by  unceasing  shaking,  but  they  separate  again, 
and  go  each  to  their  own  place.  The  awak- 
ened mind,  led  by  the  convincing  Spirit  of 
God,  comes  up  to  this  line  of  separation,  and 
there  must  choose,  and  there  does  choose, 
whom  it  shall  serve,  and  with  whom  it  shall 
go. 

Many  there,  convinced,  but  not  converted — 
feeling  and  knowing  that  they  ought  to  fol- 


TRUE   DECISION.  127 

low  Jesus,  but  not  willing  to  give  up  all 
things  for  his  sake — almost,  but  not  alto- 
gether Christians — turn  back  with  Orpah, 
and  we  see  them  no  more.  The  church  of 
God  travels  onward  to  its  glorious  home. 
They  who  are  saved  are  added  to  it,  and 
travel  onward  with  it.  They  who  have  re- 
fused the  offers  of  redeeming  love,  are  left, 
and  must  be  left,  to  reap  the  harvest  they 
have  chosen  for  themselves  to  sow. 

And  her£  we  stand  to-day.  Orpah  has 
gone.  We  shall  trace  her  course  no  longer. 
We  would  gladly  never  see  her  example  fol- 
lowed by  others.  We  must  now  confine  our- 
selves to  the  beautiful  decision  and  faithful 
choice  of  Kuth.  She  stands  before  us,  a  sin- 
cere youthful  convert  to  the  Lord's  service. 
She  has  decided  the  question  for  her  soul,  by 
gratefully  accepting  the  offers  of  a  Saviour's 
love.  This  question  will  never  come  up  for 
her  consideration  again.  Henceforth  she  is 
not  her  own.  She  belongs  to  Christ  her  Sa- 
viour.    And  she  will  glorify  him  in  her  body 


128  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

and  her  spirit,  which  are  his.  Surely  never 
was  there  a  more  beautiful  exhibition  of  char- 
acter. Never  was  there  a  more  dignified  and 
graceful  display  of  female  loveliness  and  fidel- 
ity. Painting,  sculpture,  and  poetry,  have 
each  in  their  turn  selected  it  for  their  theme. 
Each  may  have  caught  some  of  its  glow  of 
attractive  excellence.  But,  after  all,  the 
beauty  of  the  original  transcends  their  power 
of  imitation.  Never  can  we  exhaust  its  at- 
tractions, or  meditate  too  frequently  on  the 
perfection  of  the  example  which  it  presents. 
I  beg  you,  my  dear  young  friends,  to  think 
well  of  the  example  of  this  youthful  convert, 
in  the  decision  which  she  displays,  and  the 
choice  which  she  makes.  The  circumstances 
in  the  midst  of  which  her  decision  is  displayed 
are  peculiarly  instructive  to  you  all. 

She  sets  out  upon  an  untried  journey  alone. 
Naomi,  indeed,  is  with  her.  And  her  heart 
is  affectionately  bound  to  her  mother-in-law. 
But  Kuth  has  many  cares,  trials,  and  remem- 
brances of  which  Naomi  is  not  conscious.     To 


TRUE   DECISION.  129 

Naomi,  the  journey  is  A  well-known  return. 
To  Ruth,  every  step  is  untried  and  new. 
She  was  born  in  Moab.  She  knows  nothing 
of  Judah.  All  her  associations  and  earthly 
connections  are  in  Moab.  And  from  them  she 
goes  out  alone.  Thus  is  it  with  every  youth- 
ful convert.  The  experienced  and  aged  Chris- 
tian has  much  acquaintance  with  the  way  in 
which  you  go.  The  new-born  child  of  grace 
takes  every  step  on  ground  unknown  and 
untried.  Whatever  sympathy  or  kindness 
you  may  receive  in  the  Lord's  service  from 
his  faithful  people,  with  whom  you  have 
united  your  lot,  much  of  your  experience  is, 
after  all,  peculiar  to  yourself.  Your  chief 
trials  are  within  yourself,  and  wholly  your 
own.  Often  will  you  question  on  the  road, 
whether  your  case  is  not  completely  singular, 
whether  any  one  was  ever  tried  as  you  are 
tried,  or  suffered  as  you  suffer.  The  secret 
sins  which  come  to  light  in  your  own  heart — 
the  contests  and  difficulties  which  arise  in 
your  own  tempers  and  mind,  the  temptations 
6* 


130  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

of  your  own  evil  appetites  and  thoughts,  will 
often  make  you  think  yourself  isolated  and 
solitary  in  the  trials  which  you  bear.  Does 
any  other  one  so  suffer  in  prayer;  and  so  often 
contend  without  success,  and  so  often  try  in 
vain  to  do  the  will  of  God,  and  feel  so  much 
discouraged,  and  so  often  downcast  under 
manifest  and  unexpected  failures  in  duty  ? 
How  often  does  this  whole  history  come  be- 
fore a  pastor's  mind,  from  the  statement  of 
some  suffering,  struggling  child  of  God — when 
it  is  but  a  perfect  counterpart  of  the  sorrows 
and  discouragements  which  he  is  bearing 
within  himself!  As  face  answereth  to  face 
in  the  water,  so  does  the  heart  of  man  to 
heart.  This  is  the  way  in  which  all  must  go 
who  would  walk  with  God.  "  This  people 
shall  dwell  alone."  Each  one,  be  the  multi- 
tude ever  so  great,  is  a  hidden  one  with  God. 
Multitudes  may  be  traveling  in  the  same 
direction,  but  the  feelings  and  experience  of 
each  are  solitary.  "If  thou  art  wise,  thou 
art  wise  for  thyself."     Euth  must  make  her 


TEUE   DECISION.  131 

decision  in  her  own  secret  heart,  and  make  it 
for  herself  alone. 

Her  earthly  friends  must  all  be  left.  They 
are  in  Moab,  from  whence  she  takes  now 
her  final  departure.  This  separation  is  not 
to  be  made  without  a  trial  of  her  faith.  The 
more  affectionate  she  is  in  her  real  choice, 
the  more  she  will  feel  the  separation  from 
those  whom  she  leaves  behind.  Keligion  can 
not  destroy  our  earthly  affections,  our  interest 
in  those  who  are  dear  to  us  in  natural  ties. 
Nay,  it  much  increases  the  warmth  and  power 
of  our  love.  The  world  hardens  the  heart. 
The  Gospel-  makes  it  tender,  gentle,  and 
affectionate.  Sin  makes  us  selfish.  True 
piety  makes  us  disinterested,  generous,  and 
kind.  They  are  the  fashionable,  the  pros- 
perous, the  gay,  whose  time  and  thoughts 
are  occupied  with  their  own  indulgences, 
gains,  and  gratifications,  whose  hearts  become 
hardened  against  the  needs  and  sorrows  of 
their  fellow-men.  They  who  love  God  will 
love  their  earthly  friends  also.     And  in  tho 


132  TETE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

very  degree  in  which  they  love  God,  will  they 
love  those  whom  God  hath  connected  with 
them.  Ruth  can  not  look  back  upon  the 
many  whom  she  has  left  in  Moab  without 
sincere  and  deep  regret.  0  that  all  hei 
friends  might  be  partakers  of  the  same  glo- 
rious hope,  and  would  pursue  with  her  the 
same  blessed  journey  to  seek  the  living  and 
true  God. 

This  is  a  separation  which  must  be  made. 
You  can  not  serve  God  and  Mammon.  You 
can  not  be  partakers  of  the  cup  of  the  Lord 
and  the  cup  of  devils.  We  do  not  ask  you  to 
leave  your  earthly  friends  in  outward  relations. 
"We  do  not  ask  you  to  fly  to  the  desert,  or  to 
imprison  yourselves  in  convents.  This  is  the 
perversion  of  Satan  in  the  scheme  of  Popery. 
You  are  required  to  serve  the  Lord  in  the 
condition  in  which  he  has  placed  you ;  to 
abide  in  the  calling  wherein  you  are  called. 
He  fixes  the  bounds  of  your  habitations,  and 
appoints  you  the  trials  you  are  to  bear. 
From  these  it  is  vain  to  fly  to  sisterhoods  and 


TRUE   DECISION.  133 

cells,  as  if  you  could  better  do  the  will  of  God 
in  outward  seclusion.  The  world  and  Satan 
will  follow  you  there.  The  prince  of  evil, 
whose  power  is  like  the  air,  is  not  to  be  shut- 
out by  bolts  and  bars.  You  are  to  follow  the 
gracious  Saviour  in  the  world  by  a  life  sepa- 
rate from  the  world  ;  with  a  spirit  and  heart 
not  of  the  world,  though  in  its  midst.  Thus 
only  is  your  light  to  shine  where  others  may 
see  ;  and  your  example  to  be  made  a  blessing 
that  others  may  follow  it. 

This  decision  may  often  meet  with  much 
opposition  from  those  with  whom  you  dwell. 
Your  dearest  earthly  connections  may  oppose. 
They  love  you.  But  they  do  not  love  .your 
religion.  Would  you  mix  the.  two  together ; 
would  you  only  accompany  them  to  the  same 
excess  of  riot ;  and,  while  the  Sabbath  led  to 
the  house  and  table  of  the  Lord,  allow  the 
week  to  lead  you  to  the  palaces  of  Satan  and 
the  assemblies  of  those  who  have  not  God  in 
all  their  thoughts,  they  could  bear  with  you. 
Would  you  make  your  religion  merely  an  out  - 


134  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

ward  and  separable  form,  they  would  be  will- 
ing to  yield  to  you.  But  if  you  take  a 
decided  and  faithful  stand  on  the  side  of 
Christ,  they  feel  that  your  whole  course  is  a 
reproof  to  them.  To  true  religion,  living, 
active,  decided  piety,  the  spirit  and  habits 
of  the  world  are  irreconcilably  opposed. 
What  are  you  to  do  ?  What  can  you  do, 
but  faithfully  and  simply  follow  Him  who 
has  said,  "Whosoever  loveth  father  or 
mother  more  than  me  is  not  worthy  of  me"  ? 
You  must  go  forth  with  Euth,  and  leave 
those  who,  rejecting  Jesus,  will  not  go  with 
you.  You  must  follow  the  Lord  fully, 
though  you  follow  him  alone  among  your 
earthly  connections  ;  and  he  will  make  those 
who  oppose  at  peace  with  you.  Be  faithful 
to  him,  and  your  fidelity  shall  be  the  source 
of  increased  confidence  and  respect,  even 
from  the  worldly  who  appear  to  reject  and 
despise  you.  You  may  suffer  a  little  at  the 
outset.  It  is  a  temporary  suffering.  Your 
usefulness  to  others  will  be  vastly  increased 


TRUE   DECISION.  135 

God  will  give  you  many  seals  of  liis  blessing 
on  your  efforts  to  honor  him  in  the  world  in 
which  he  has  placed  you.  And  you  will  find 
a  happy  and  blessed  result  in  the  end. 

As  we  trace  the  history  of  Ruth,  we  find 
her  meeting  with  new  trials  of  her  faith  and 
decision  after  she  sets,  out  alone.  Orpah  has 
gone.  But  still  Naomi  proves  the  spirit  of 
Ruth.  Your  sister  has  gone  back  to  her 
people  and  her  gods.  If  you  mean  ever  to  go 
back,  now  is  your  best  time  to  go.  Think 
well  of  what  you  give  up,  and  of  what  you. 
may  encounter  in  accompanying  me.  Much 
as  I  would  love  to  have  you  go  with  me,  I  do 
not  wish  you  hereafter  to  feel  disappointed 
or  grieved  on  my  account.  Eemember  I  have 
nothing  to  offer  you.  If  you  go  with  me,  it 
must  be  to  be  a  partner  of  my  griefs  and 
wants. 

Thus  God  often  proves  the  young  disciple 
with  new  trials.  He  sends  his  east  wind 
upon  the  young  trees  of  his  planting  ;  not  to 
weaken    or    destroy,    but    to    give    greater 


136  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

strength  and  endurance  for  the  time  to  come. 
Our  real  conversion  to  Him  is  an  hour  of 
peace  and  blessedness  ;  but  it  is  not  an  end 
of  trial.  Nay,  it  is  the  very  beginning  of  new 
contests  ;  and  our  fidelity  in  the  decision  we 
have  made  is  to  be  proved  at  once,  and  to  be 
proved  constantly,  by  new  dispensations  of 
the  will  of  God.  Within  and  without,  dif- 
ficulties which  we  never  found  before  arise 
upon  us  now.  "We  had  hoped  that  the  day 
of  temptation  and  trial  had  passed.  And  the 
day  of  fruitless  sorrow  and  trial  has  passed. 
The  trials  we  now  meet  are  the  divine  system 
of  blessing  to  us.  They  are  the  treasuring 
up  of  abiding  benefits  for  our  possession. 
Thus  our  Divine  Captain  strengthens  and 
prepares  his  soldiers  for  their  warfare  and 
their  victory.  This  is  the  work  which  he  has 
for  them  to  do.  When  we  hear  Naomi  using 
the  language  of  distrust  to  Euth,  we  are 
ready  to  feel  that  she  makes  the  burden 
unnecessarily  heavy.  Has  she  not  already 
separated  from  her  sister,  and  seen  her  go 


TRUE   DECISION.  131 

back  alone  ?  Why  should  not  her  mother- 
in-law  now  encourage  her,  and  help  her  on- 
ward in  the  journey  which  she  has  chosen 
and  commenced  ?  Why  should  she  compel 
her  to  plead,  as  in  our  text,  for  permission  to 
go  with  her  ?  "  Intreat  me  not  to  leave 
thee,  nor  to  return  from  following  after  thee." 
How  affecting  is  such  an  appeal  from  the 
youthful  traveler  !  And  Naomi  surely  felt  it, 
and  was  now  satisfied  that  she  had  brought 
out  the  real  choice  of  her  heart.  She  found 
that  she  was  steadfastly  minded  to  go  with 
her,  and  she  ceased  to  try  her  more. 

I  would  have  you  always  remember  thai 
the  most  permanently  comforting  ministry  ia 
not  that  which  deals  the  most  superficially, 
but  that  which  the  most  thoroughly  searches 
and  instructs  the  heart.  "  Examine  your- 
selves whether  you  be  in  the  faith."  "  Prove 
your  own  selves."  "  Let  every  man  prove  his 
own  work,  and  then  shall  he  have  rejoicing 
in  himself  alone,  and  not  in  another."  H« 
will  always  carry  his  own  evidences  within 


138  THE   KICH   KINSMAN. 

himself,  in  his  own  experience.  He  will  have 
the  witness  in  himself.  You  need  not  desire 
or  seek  for  trials.  Still  less  need  you  invent 
them  and  prepare  them  for  yourself  as  pen- 
ances and  punishments.  This  is  the  darkness 
and  wilfulness  of  superstition.  The  trial  of 
your  faith  will  come  when  God  sees  best, 
and  in  the  way  that  he  sees  best.  But  you 
need  never  fear  the  hour  of  trial  of  divine 
appointment  when  it  comes.  Be  really  faith- 
ful and  sincere,  and  God  will  prove  your 
faith,  to  strengthen,  settle,  and  stablish  you 
for  ever.  Be  truly  gold,  and  then  the  refiner's 
fire  will  only  purify  and  make  you  bright.  It 
can  not  destroy.  Be  sure  that  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb  is  really  sprinkled  upon  the  door 
of  your  conscience  and  heart ;  that  you  have 
with  a  sincere  choice  put  yourself  by  faith 
in  the  Saviour's  word  and  power,  under  the 
protection  of  his  grace  and  promise,  and  the 
destroyer  will  pass  over  you.  The  night  of 
Egypt's  darkness  shall  be  light  to  you. 

This  faithful  decision  Kuth  was  obliged  to 


TRUE   DECISION.  139 

make  in  the  face  of  backsliding  in  others. 
She  sees  Orpah  go  "back,  yet  she  perseveres. 
The  same  arguments  which  were  sufficient  tc 
persuade  Orpah  to  remain  in  Moab  might  he 
supposed  adequate  to  move  her  also.  But 
she  goes  with  Naomi,  notwithstanding  this 
example.  The  observation  of  this  unfaith- 
fulness in  others  is  a  great  trial  of  faith. 
There  will  always  be  backsliders  among  those 
who  profess  to  seek  the  Lord.  The  Apostles 
found  it  so.  "  Ye  did  run  well,"  says  Paul 
to  the  Galatians  ;  "  what  did  hinder  you  that 
ye  should  not  obey  the  truth  ?"  "  Demas 
hath  forsaken  me,  having  loved  this  present 
world."  The  inconsistencies  of  false  pro- 
fessors, with  their  Christian  avowal,  is  a 
great  burden  to  the  young  disciple.  If  we 
are  faithful  amidst  their  unfaithfulness,  our 
course  becomes  still  the  more  difficult,  and 
the  more  beset  with  obstacles.  The  course 
which  they  adopt  seems  to  mark  us  as  un- 
necessarily peculiar.  It  tends  to  unsettle  our 
own  confidence  in  the  principles  which  we 


140  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

have  been  taught.  It  provokes  still  more 
hostility  against  us.  It  compels  us  to  bear 
unnecessaiy  distress  in  our  pity  for  them.  It 
loads  us  with  sorrows  which  the  direct  service 
of  our  Master  does  not  impose.  It  obliges 
us  to  appear  still  more  separate  from  others, 
and  cuts  off  much  of  the  apparent  influence 
which  might  be  exercised  by  our  religion. 
It  has  the  tendency  to  make  us  selfish  and 
exclusive  ;  to  drive  us  away  from  social  inter- 
course ;  and  to  make  us  solitary  in  our  spirit 
and  in  our  habits. 

But  such  defections  will  always  occur. 
They  serve  to  manifest  the  fidelity  of  the  real 
children  of  God.  They  increase  the  courage 
and  the  watchfulness  of  the  people  of  Christ. 
They  drive  the  true  disciple  to  more  earnest 
prayer,  and  more  unshrinking  determination 
in  all  things  to  be  found  faithful.  How  open 
and  manifest  these  surrounding  failures  make 
the  difference  to  appear  between  the  true 
and  the  false  professor !  When  a  child  of 
the  world  comes  out  on  the  side  of  Christ, 


TRUE   DECISION.  141 

and  pursues,  in  the  midst  of  the  evil  exam- 
ples of  many,  a  course  of  simple,  faithful  de- 
votion to  the  Saviour,  how  it  honors  his  truth  ! 
How  it  strengthens  his  cause  !  How  it  im- 
presses even  those  who  oppose  !  How  such 
faithfulness  is  owned  and  prospered  by  the 
Lord,  to  whom  it  is  offered,  in  the  usefulness 
to  others  of  the  life  which  is  adorned  by  it. 

Well  do  I  remember  a  dear  child  like  this, 
whose  history  comes  to  my  mind  as  a  striking 
illustration.  She  came  under  my  ministry  in 
the  early  morning  of  her  youth,  one  of  a  fam- 
ily in  which  there  were  yet  none  who  received 
or  obeyed  the  Saviour's  word.  Beautiful  in 
her  person — lovely  in  her  character — animated 
and  commanding  in  her  intellect,  she  was  a 
child  of  peculiar  attractions.  But  yet  she  was 
without  Christ.  The  Holy  Spirit  awakened 
and  taught  her,  and  led  her  to  an  open  and 
faithful  stand  for  the  Saviour  in  the  family  to 
which  she  belonged.  She  made  her  religious 
profession  at  the  table  of  the  Lord.  At  once 
the     divine    influence    attended    upon    hei 


142  THL    EICH    KINSMAN. 

youthful  ministrations.  She  became  a  Sun- 
clay-school  teacher.  The  Lord  honored  and 
blessed  her  with  remarkable  usefulness  there. 
She  entered  a  family  of  wealth  and  fashion  as 
a  private  teacher.  Though  scarce  a  woman, 
but  seventeen  years  of  age,  her  holiness  of 
character,  and  faithful  Christian  course  won 
upon  them  all,  and  she  became  the  spiritual 
teacher  and  religious  guide  of  the  house, 
loved,  venerated  by  old  and  young.  She 
united  herself  to  the  choir  of  the  church.  Her 
religion  was  made  there  a  blessing,  and  more 
than  one  who  knew  her  nowhere  else,  was 
given  to  her  as  a  seal  of  her  ministry  there. 
When  her  own  religious  stand  was  taken,  her 
family  scoffed  at  her  course.  She  was  com- 
pelled to  bear  very  peculiar  persecutions  and 
hostility.  Yet  three  sisters  she  brought  suc- 
cessively to  me,  who  traced  their  religious 
character  to  her  example  and  exhortations. 
Attractive  to  our  young  men,  they  contended 
for  the  pleasure  of  attending  her.  Yet  to  all, 
on   every  possible   occasion,  she   brought   in 


TRUE   DECISION.  143 

their  walks  or  visits  the  important  claims  of 
personal  religion.  And  more  than  one  of 
these  acknowledged,  in  his  subsequent  con- 
version, his  first  religious  impressions  to  have 
been  the  result  of  her  conversations.  I  have 
no  doubt  I  might  have  traced  twenty-five 
conversions  directly  to  her  influence.  She 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  Lovely  in  her 
religion.  Never  to  be  forgotten  by  those  who 
knew  her.  I  stood  at  the  head  of  her  coffin, 
and  addressed  the  assembly  upon  "  the  be- 
loved Persis  who  labored  much  in  the  Lord." 
Dear,  dear  child  of  GJ-od, — how  precious  is  her 
memory  to  me  still !  How  beautiful,  how 
effective  was  the  religious  course  which  she 
pursued  !  What  a  privilege  to  a  pastor  are 
such  seals  to  his  ministry  in  the  Lord  !  This 
is  the  influence  and  the  worth  of  that  true 
decision  which,  in  the  very  midst  of  the  incon- 
sistencies, and  backslidings,  and  hostility  of 
others,  stands  firmly  on  the  Saviour's  side, 
and  chooses  always  the  path  which  his  life- 
giving  truth  points  out. 


144  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

But  Eu tli's  choice  must  be  made  in  the 
midst  of  many  temptations.  All  the  circum- 
stances which  we  have  considered  make  an 
array  of  temptations  for  her  of  great  strength. 
Solitary,  away  from  her  former  friends,  with 
new  and  increasing  trials  of  her  faith)  in  the 
face  of  the  backsliding  example  of  her  sister, 
her  temptations  to  yield  were  many.  It  is 
hard,  at  the  best,  to  maintain  the  power  and 
spirit  of  true  religion  in  the  heart.  When 
every  thing  is  in  our  favor  aroun4  us,  our  own 
hearts  will  still  give  us  contest  and  trouble 
enough.  Many  young  Christians  hardly  know 
these  outward  difficulties.  Parental  piety 
and  guardianship  are  on  their  side.  Every 
thing  around  them  in  their  family  relations 
favors  their  religious  course.  Their  home 
encourages  it.  Domestic  prayer  and  example 
sustain  it.  They  are  shielded  from  much 
that  is  powerfully  evil  in  the  world  around. 
Their  difficulties  are  all  within  themselves. 
These,  indeed,  they  find  numerous  and  pain- 
ful enough. 


TRUE   DECISION-.  145 

But  when  to  these  are  added  the  trials  of 
outward  hostility — the  temptations  of  a  world- 
ly family — the  direct  and  constant  efforts  of 
others ,  who  ought  to  guard  and  guide  them, 
to  undermine  their  principles,  to  bewilder 
their  judgments,  and  to  lead  their  appetites 
and  affections  to  sin — a  scornful  hostility  in 
their  nearest  friends — ah,  is  it  wonderful  that 
they  should  groan  in  anguish  under  the  bur- 
den which  is  thus  thrown  upon  them  ?  Yet 
in  the  midst  of  all  these,  the  Holy  Spirit  can 
enable  you  to  be  steadfast  and  useful.  If 
you  really  love  the  Saviour,  he  will  seem  to 
you  worth  the  endurance  of  all  hostility  for 
his  sake.  The  more  you  bear  for  him  the 
happier  will  you  be  in  him.  Be  not  afraid  of 
their  terror,  neither  be  troubled.  Sanctify  the 
Lord  God  in  your  hearts,  and  he  will  shield 
you  in  the  hour  of  temptation,  and  defend 
you  in  the  day  of  trial. 

Your  temptations  will  arise  from  your  own 
tastes  and  habits,  and  from  the  provisions 
which  there  are  in  the  world  around  to  fur- 
7 


146  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

nish  the  gratification  for  them.  In  a  city 
like  that  in  which  our  lot  is  cast,  there  is 
every  provision  for  "  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the 
lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life."  No- 
thing but  the  most  faithful  decision  will 
enable  our  young  Christians  to  maintain  a 
consistent  course,  and  to  adorn  the  Gospel 
with  a  becoming  conversation.  Here  is  one 
who  has  a  delicate  ear  for  music,  and  a  great 
love  for  its  more  intricate  and  scientific  har- 
mony. It  is  a  great  gift.  But  it  is  also  a 
great  snare.  It  was  bestowed  to  honor  God 
and  to  enjoy  his  praise.  But  the  enemy 
easily  prepares  a  temptation  suited  to  insnare 
and  pervert  it.  And  the  argument  for  the 
importance  of  its  perfect  cultivation  is  always 
at  hand  to  cover  the  gratification.  Here  is 
the  theatrical  opera.  All  its  agencies,  atten- 
dants and  influence  are  the  agencies,  atten- 
dants and  influence  of  the  theatrical  drama. 
The  single  point  of  distinction  is  the  vehicle 
of  expression.  But  if  love  for  music  may  be 
gratified  at  the  opera,  why  may  not  love  for 


TRUE   DECISION.  147 

eloquence  be  indulged  at  the  theater  ?  Yet 
I  have  known  young  Christians  who  can  be 
tempted  to  taste  the  gratification,  even  at 
this  cost,  and  sanction  by  their  presence  a 
system  of  worldly  pleasure  which  excludes 
God,  opposes  God,  blasphemes  God,  because 
its  music  is  fine,  and  they  think  that  they  at 
least  can  enjoy  it  with  impunity.  But  if  the 
glorious  Lord  whom  they  profess ,  to  serve 
should  stand  in  the  midst  of  that  pleasure- 
seeking  throng,  would  they  spring  forth  to 
meet  him,  crying,  like  Mary  at  the  sepulcher, 
"  Kabboni,  my  master  ?"  Nay,  would  they 
not  shrink  back  from  his  gaze,  and  wish  he 
had  called  them  from  some  scene  at  least 
where  they  could  behold  him  without  shame  ? 
Ah,  rather  would  I  my  child  had  been  deaf 
to  every  sound,  than  be  thus  insnared  in  sin- 
ful indulgence  by  the  songs  of  syrens,  in  the 
palace  of  Satan  ! 

Here  is  another  of  peculiar  personal  grace. 
She  dances  beautifully.  Her  foolish  parents 
and  friends  are  proud  of  a  physical  elasticity 


148  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

in  which  every  monkey  and  mountebank 
transcends  her.  She  becomes  herself  vain  of 
that  which  is  deemed  a  graceful  accomplish- 
ment. The  daughter  of  the  Lord  Almighty, 
whose  body  and  spirit  have  been  bought  with 
the  price  of  a  Saviour's  blood,  for  his  glory, 
stoops  to  a  competition  with  the  heathen 
dancing-girls  of  Hindostan  or  China.  Beau- 
tiful and  attractive  indeed  is  graceful  carriage 
and  form  in  the  young.  What  can  be  more 
outwardly  lovely  to  the  eye  of  man  ?  But 
ah,  when  it  becomes  thus  a  snare  to  destroy 
the  soul,  and  God  the  Saviour  is  sacrificed 
and  banished  for  the  wildness  of  a  polluting, 
degrading  whirl  in  giddy  frivolity — I  would 
rather  my  child  had  been  given  to  me  a 
cripple  from  her  birth  than  see  her  entangled 
in  such  a  snare ! 

Here  is  one  whose  social  powers  are  com- 
manding. Her  conversation  is  brilliant  and 
attractive.  Her  education  has  been  polished, 
fertile,  and  most  availing.  This  is  a  high 
and  valued  bestowment.     Her  tongue   may 


TRUE   DECISION.  149 

be  her  glory.  Thus  David  says,  "  Awake  up 
my  glory."  Her  conversation,  sanctified  with 
the  salt  of  grace,  may  lead  many  to  Christ, 
and  bring  abounding  happiness  to  herself. 
But  ah  !  when  I  see  her  ensnared  by  love  for 
company,  and  the  power  to  adorn  society, 
into  an  unceasing  round  of  daily  and  nightly 
engagements  abroad  ;  and  all  serious  thought 
and  feeling,  and  habit,  sacrificed  to  this 
passion  for  social  life  ;  home  forsaken,  and 
family  affection  and  happiness  sold  for  the 
love  of  the  foreign  glitter  and  excitement  of 
the  "  lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of 
God  ;"  I  can  not  be  deluded  by  the  animating 
show.  No  kaleidoscope  like  this  can  com- 
pensate lor  glory  lost,  for  heaven  cast  away. 

I  might  enumerate  still  more  temptations 
which  press  around  our  Kuths  in  the  circum- 
stances in  which  their  decision  for  the  Lord  is 
to  be  made.  You  will  never  find  the  adapted 
trial  far  from  you.  The  prince  with  the  power 
of  the  air  will  be  found  to  follow  you  every 
where  with  suitable  enticements.     But  there 


150  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

is  no  temptation  from  which  there  is  not  an 
appointed  and  adequate  way  for  escape.  Be 
faithful  and  you  will  be  protected  and  safe. 
Be  faithful  and  you  will  be  useful  and  happy. 
Be  faithful  and  you  will  be  accepted  and 
crowned  with  glory.  Whatever  may  be  your 
temptations,  let  me  entreat  you  to  stand 
with  Kuth,  in  a  simple,  unshrinking  deter- 
mination to  follow  'the  Lord  fully  wherever 
he  shall  lead  you,  and  to  cast  in  your  lot 
with  cheerfulness  and  gratitude  among  his 
people,  as  consistent  and  permanent  members 
of  the  family  and  household  of  God.  Thus 
will  your  path  be  as  a  shining  light,  which 
shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 


VII. 

%\t  |nitlrf«l  Clruia. 

And  Ruth  said,  Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  or  to  return  from  follow- 
ing after  thee;  for  whither  thou  goest  I  will  go;  and  where  thou 
lodgest  I  will  lodge ;  thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my 
God;  where  thou  diest  will  I  die,  and  there  will  I  he  buried;  the 
Lord  do  so  to  me,  and  more  also,  if  aught  but  death  part  thee  and  me. 
When  she  saw  that  she  was  steadfastly  minded  to  go  with  her,  then 
she  left  speaking  unto  her. — Ettth,  i.  16-18. 

What  important  results  habitually  flow 
from  the  most  unimportant  and  unnoticed 
springs  in  the  character  and  condition  of  the 
young !  You  may  stand  at  the  water-shed 
of  some  mountain-ridge,  perhaps,  and  bathe 
your  hands  in  two  contiguous  streams  that 
steal  along  in  their  unmarked  course  to  op- 
posite sides  of  an  immense  continent.  You 
may  there,  perhaps,  see  two  kindred  drops 
fall  from  the  same  tree,  severally  upon  the 


152  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

waters  of  each.  They  will  pursue  their  sepa- 
rate widening  course,  until  one  %has  reached 
the  tropical  ocean  through  the  Mississippi, 
and  the  other  the  Polar  Sea,  by  the  St.  Law- 
rence. Their  separation  has  been  final.  Never 
will  they  meet  again. 

So  contiguous  and  so  connected  are  often 
the  young,  in  the  time  of  their  choice  for  life, 
their  choice  for  eternity.  Like  kindred  drops 
of  equal  purity  and  lustre,  clinging  to  the 
same  branch,  two  sisters  may  be  side  by  side, 
agitated  and  trembling  under  the  same  in- 
fluence. The  moment  presses  on  when  they 
must  separate  and  fall.  To  remain  sus- 
pended, unexhaled  there,  is  impossible.  They 
must  fall.  But  where  ?  Will  they  gently 
drop  together  into  the  stream  of  holiness  and 
love  which  flows  from  the  throne  of  God  and 
the  Lamb,  sparkling  and  animated,  onward 
to  the  blissfulness,  blessedness,  and  purity  of 
life  eternal  ?  Or  shall  they  be  parted  by 
some  rough  outward  wind  which  shall  hurl 
one  of  them  into   the  rapid,   heavy  stream 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  15$ 

of  disobedience,  darkness,  and  e\erlasting 
death?  How  much  depends  upon  that  ques- 
tion !  How  much  depends  upon  the  single 
moment  that  will  decide  it !  What  influence 
of  untold  importance  is  lodged  in  the  last, 
final  agency  of  determination  ?  None  hut 
God  can  discern  and  disclose  the  future. 
Angels  and  saints  may  stand,  just  as  we 
stand,  and  watch  the  tears,  the  excitement, 
the  deep  concern  of  these  awakened  children 
of  earth,  and  ask,  with  still  deeper  solemnity, 
as  the  hour  of  inevitable  decision  draws  near, 
Will  they  go  with  Christ  ?  Will  they  choose 
the  heavenly  part?  Will  they  grasp  a 
Saviour's  mercy  ?  Will  they  embrace  a 
Saviour's  love  ?  Will  they  journey  with  the 
people  of  God  through  grace  to  glory  ?  Or 
will  they  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Will  they 
reject  the  Comforter  ?  Will  they  cling  to  the 
world  ?  Will  they  yield  to  the  tempter's 
power  ?  Will  they  join  the  scoffing,  shout- 
ing troop  of  those  who  know  not,  and  wh<> 


154  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

love  not  God  ?     It  is  an  issue  and  a  nzonient 
of  fearful  consequence. 

You  may  now  go  forward,  and  start  from 
the  eternity  which  the  children  of  God  and 
the  children  of  the  evil  one  have  severally 
attained,  and  trace  back  these  two  drops  of 
morning  dew  through  all  the  intermediate 
circumstances  and  history  of  their  journey  on 
the  bosom  of  the  current  with  which  they  have 
been  mingled,  till  you  find  them  again  glitter- 
ing side  by  side,  on  the  same  branch,  in  all 
the  beauty  of  their  youthful  day.  At  no 
point  on  their  diverging  journey  were  they 
likely  to  mingle  into  one  again.  Each  day 
made  their  separation  more  hopeless  and  more 
entire.  With  what  feeling  of  the  importance 
of  their  early  morning  choice  do  you  con- 
template them  now  !  How  immense  appears 
the  responsibility  and  the  result  of  their  de- 
cision !  How  just  and  valued  seems  the 
earnestness  which  would  persuade  them  both 
freely  to  give   themselves   to   the   Saviour's 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  155 

call,  and  to  unite  with  him  in  an  everlasting 
covenant  never  to  be  forgotten  ! 

Thus  Kuth  and  Orpah  hung  trembling  and 
glistening  together  by  Naomi's  side.  The 
hour  of  their  decision  came.  It  was  the  hour 
of  their  separation  for  ever.  This  decision, 
important  as  it  was,  was  at  last  a  moment — a 
thought — a  single  word — "  I  will,  I  will  not" 
— a  conversion — a  refusal  of  conversion — a 
choice — a  separation  though  they  were  yet 
together — a  single  step  apart — and  then  a 
progressive  journey,  which  carried  each  of 
them  forward,  with  no  return.  It  is  habit- 
ually so.  And  the  history  of  the  young 
around  the  Christian  Church  is  but  a  multi- 
plying lens  which  gives  us  Kuths  and  Orpahs 
in  every  generation  and  in  every  land.  But 
we  come  now  to  consider  simply  Hutu's  faith- 
ful choice.  "  Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee, 
or  to  return  from  following  after  thee ;  for 
whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go  ;  and  where  thou 
lodgest  I  will  lodge  ;  thy  people  shall  be  my 
people,  and  thy  God  my  God ;  where  thou 


156  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

diest  will  I  die,  and  there  will  I  be  buried  ; 
the  Lord  do  so  to  me,  and  more  also,  if  aught 
but  death  part  thee  and  me."  How  many 
hearts  have  been  moved,  and  how  many  eyes 
have  dropped  the  involuntary  tear  over ,  this 
beautiful  illustration  of  youthful  fidelity  and 
loveliness  !  The  dear  child  of  grace  seems  to 
be  living  here  before  us.  We  hear  her  gentle 
filial  voice,  as  she  pleads  her  permission  to  go 
with  Naomi  among  the  people  of  the  living 
God.  Her  faithful  choice  remains  a  per- 
manent, an  everlasting  pattern  to  all  who 
hear  the  Gospel  in  their  youth,  in  every  age 
of  the  Church  of  God.     Let  us  consider  it. 

It  was  an  humble  choice.  She  has  nothing 
to  offer  but  herself.  She  affects  not  to  bring 
any  thing  which  can  make  her  of  any  worth. 
A  poor,  wandering  daughter  of  Moab,  she  asks 
to  be  allowed  to  go,  if  it  be  only  as  a  beggar, 
and  share  with  Naomi  the  lot  which  might  be 
prepared  for  her.  She  has  no  claim  to  pre- 
sent. She  fears  she  may  be  a  burden  and 
unwelcome.     She  pleads  only  for  permission 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  157 

to  be  to  Naomi  in  her  future  life  all  that  affec- 
tion and  fidelity  can  make  her.  She  has  no- 
thing else  to  offer. 

How  beautiful  is  this  illustration  !  It  mat- 
ters not  in  what  condition  of  life  the  child  o( 
earth  was  born,  when  the  Holy  Spirit  brings 
her  heart  to  Jesus,  she  comes  as  a  beggar. 
Her  own  sinfulness  has  been  made  to  appear. 
The  secret  follies  and  willfulness  of  her  life 
and  temper  arise  to  her  view.  The  very  life  of 
ingratitude  and  carelessness  which  appeared 
to  have  no  guilt  in  her  eyes;  or  in  the  eyes  of 
others,  now  seems  marked  with  wicked  neg- 
lect of  God  in  every  step.  It  is  not  what  she 
has  done  that  grieves  her,  as  what  she  has 
been.  Not  a  stain  of  outward  wrong  may 
have  marked  her  course  in  the  view  of  those 
who  knew  her  best.  Parents  and  sisters  may 
say  she  has  been  always  the  light  and  comfort 
of  the  household.  They  are  ready  to  think 
she  has  never  sinned.  And  yet  she  feels  the 
burden  of  guilt,  and  weeps,  and  prays  over 
the  remembrance  of  her  foolish,  wasted  life. 


158  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

The  preciousness  of  the  faithful  saying,  that 
Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  is 
her  only  comfort.  The  assurance  that  the 
Son  of  Man  has  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost,  is  her  single  encouragement 
and  support.  Did  he  ask  one  deed  of  excel- 
lence, she  could  not  produce  it.  Should  he 
demand  a  single  hour  without  sin,  she  feels 
that  she  would  search  for  it  in  vain.  She  has 
not  a  single  provision  for  the  journey  which 
she  desires  to  undertake.  "  No/'  she  says  ;  "  I 
stand  here  a  beggar,  on  the  boundary  of  Im- 
manuel's  land.  As  a  beggar,  will  he  receive 
me  ?  Will  he  suffer  me  to  come  to  him  with 
nothing  ?  In  all  the  rags  of  my  own  corrupt 
and  wasted  nature  ?  Lord,  I  perish.  Do  not 
cast  me  off.  Kefuse  not  my  humble  entreaty 
and  plea."  But  in  all  this  conscious  un wor- 
thiness, she  chooses  Christ  as  her  portion  and 
Lord.  Yes,  with  her  whole  heart.  If  he  will 
accept  her,  receive  her,  own  her,  permit  her 
to  go  with  him  just  as  she  is,  then  most  gladly 
will  she  cast  her  lot  with  his,  and  from  this 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  159 

day  be  for  him  all  that  she  can  be  made 
through  the  riches  of  his  grace.  Like  Ruth, 
she  humbly  pleads,  "  Entreat  me  not  to  leave 
thee."  Suffer  me  to  go  with  thee,  and  par- 
take with  thy  people  the  inheritance  which 
thou  hast  provided  for  them. 

It  was  an  affectionate  choice.  When  did 
real  love  ever  speak  from  the  heart  more 
truly  and  manifestly  than  in  her  ?  It  was 
personal,  tender  affection  for  Naomi.  For 
her  and  with  her  Ruth  was  willing  to  do,  or 
to  be,  any  thing  that  God  should  appoint. 
What  tender  individuality  is  there  in  her 
appeal  !  " Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee" 
She  can  leave  Moab  without  regret.  She  can 
part  with  her  earthly  friends  without  sorrow, 
gladly  as  she  would  have  them  go  with  her. 
But  she  can  not  leave  Naomi.  She  will  not 
be  enticed  away,  or  driven  back  from  Judah. 
Her  heart  is  with  Naomi.  Her  desires  all 
reach  forward  to  the  land  to  which  Naomi 
journeys,  and  thither,  on  whatever  terms,  she 
must  and  she  will  go. 


160  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

It  is  just  such  a  choice  to  which  the  Saviour 
would  lead  you  all.  "  My  daughter,  give  me 
thy  heart,"  is  his  tender  appeal  to  you.  And 
our  youthful,  spiritual  traveler  freely  and 
affectionately  responds,  "I  give  my  heart  tc 
thee  ;  thy  face  will  I  seek  ;  hide  not  thy  face 
from  me."  This  is  her  own  affectionate 
choice.  It  is  not  the  stand  of  duty  merely, 
of  obligation,  of  fear,  of  necessity.  It  is  not 
the  mere  remedy  and  recourse  of  disappoint- 
ment and  weariness.  It  is  not  the  constrained 
denial  of  self,  of  appetite,  and  loved  indul- 
gence. It  is  not  an  involuntary,  sorrowful 
rehnquishment  of  a  world  that  was  loved  as 
long  as  it  bloomed,  and  has  been  forsaken 
only  because  it  has  faded.  No.  The  world 
was  never  brighter,  happier,  or  more  promis- 
ing to  her  than  it  now  is.  It  is  not  the  loss 
of  the  past  which  she  would  supply.  It  is 
the  perception  of  something  infinitely  more 
precious,  which  she  would  attain.  Her  choice 
is  of  the  Saviour,  because  she  really  loves  him. 
Infinite  attractions  are  gathered  around  him. 


THE   FAITHFUL    CHOICE.  161 

His  service  seems  to  her  all  that  she  can  desire. 
Fellowship  with  Christ,  union  with  him,  ap- 
pears before  her  as  the  supreme  blessedness 
of  her  possible  condition.  Could  she  be  only 
always  with  him,  and  for  ever  like  him,  she 
would  desire  nothing  beside. 

She  has  no  excellence  in  herself ;  nothing 
but  sin.  She  feels  that  she  has  no  sacrifice 
to  make  in  yielding  to  his  will.  Yet  she 
comes  to  him  with  entire  and  affectionate 
freedom  of  choice.  She  selects  him  as  her 
everlasting  friend,  whatever  may  be  the  lot 
which  he  shall  appoint  for  her.  Her  grateful 
heart  declares,  as  she  sits  down  at  his  feet, 
"  Here  will'  I  dwell,  and  this  shall  be  my  her- 
itage for  ever,  for  it  is  the  very  joy  of  my 
heart."  The  blessedness  of  complete  forgive- 
ness which  he  bestows — the  privilege  of  per- 
fect peace  with  him — of  joyful  hope  in  him, 
of  living,  and  even  suffering  for  him,  seems  to 
her  to  be  clothed  with  unspeakable  attrac- 
tions. And  as  freely  as  the  falling  drop  min- 
gles with  the  current  in  which  it  floats,  does 


162  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

her  affectionate  heart  embrace  the  Saviour, 
and  resolve  to  go  with  him.  This  is  no  fancy 
or  enthusiasm.  It  is  the  conscious,  undeni- 
able state  of  the  young  Christian's  heart. 
She  could  not  say  with  truth  that  she  has 
any  other  choice,  or  any  hesitation  in  making 
this.  The  attractions  of  Moab  are  nothing. 
The  fears  of  the  journey  she  undertakes  are 
nothing.  Her  heart  is  fixed,  and  she  will 
never  reconsider  or  reverse  the  decision  it  has 
made. 

A  faithful  child  of  God,  like  Euth,  thus 
spoke  to  me,  in  a  note  written  at  this  crisis 
of  her  life  :  "I  now  write  to  tell  you  that  I 
do  not  hesitate,  do  not  doubt,  do  not  despond, 
do  not  fear.  I  have  made  a  decided,  deliber- 
ate choice  of  the  Saviour  for  my  portion,  and 
am  determined  to  serve  him  faithfully  and 
affectionately,  and  to  be  guided  by  him  alone. 
And  I  would  express  my  deep  gratitude  for 
the  encouragement  you  gave  me,  and  for  the 
peace  of  mind  your  words  have  imparted — a 
peace  which  I  had  almost  feared  would  ncvei 


THE    FAITHFUL    CHOICE.  163 

more  be  mine."  Such  was  Buth's  affectionate 
choice.  Such  an  affectionate  choice  of  the  Lord 
for  your  God  would  I  urge  you  all  to  make. 

Hutu's  choice  was  an  entire  one.  There 
was  no  hesitation  in  her  mind  about  the  de- 
cision she  should  make.  She  manifested  no 
remaining  love  for  Moab,  and  no  lingering 
desire  to  carry  something  of  Moab  with  her. 
There  seemed  but  one  side  of  the  question  as 
it  was  presented  to  her  mind.  The  contrasted 
claim  was  nothing.  Without  the  least  reserva- 
tion, with  no  conditions  or  terms  upon  which 
she  should  consent  to  yield — she  freely  gave 
herself  up  to  Naomi's  direction  and  plans. 
"  Whither  thou  goest  I  will  go  :  where  thou 
lodgest  I  will  lodge.  Thy  people  shall  be  my 
people,  and  thy  God,  my  God." 

"  Tell  me  not  of  gain  or  loss, 

Ease,  enjoyment,  pomp,  or  power, 
"Welcome,  poverty  and  cross, 
Shame,  reproach,  affliction's  hour." 

This  was  her  simple,  single  stand.  And  it 
was  this  entire  choice  which  made  the  happi- 


164  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

ness  of  her  future  course.  She  made  the  ex- 
change,  the  transfer  of  herself,  freely,  com- 
pletely, and  without  reserve.  And  there  was 
nothing  left  to  turn  her  back  to  Moab  in  hex 
possible  experience  hereafter. 

When  the  choice  of  a  Saviour  is  thus  entire, 
how  completely  it  opens  the  way  for  future 
duty !  How  it  settles  all  future  discussions 
and  difficulties  with  a  single  decision !  "  Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?"  said  the 
awakened  Saul,  as  he  lay  prostrate  at  the  Sa- 
viour's feet.  And  what  a  question  it  was  ! 
I  am  ready  to  do  any  thing,  to  be  any  thing, 
to  bear  any  thing  for  thee,  which  thou  shalt 
appoint,  or  to  which  thou  shalt  please  to  lead 
me.  Show  me  what  I  have  to  do.  The  Sa- 
viour's answer,  through  Ananias,  was,  "  I 
will  show  him  how  great  things  he  must  suffer 
for  my  sake."  The  secret  of  happiness  in  re- 
ligion is  just  here.  Making  it  the  entire,  sin- 
gle choice  of  the  heart.  Paul  afterward 
could  say,  "  This  one  thing  I  do."  My  mind, 
mv  thoughts,  my  desires,  my  efforts,  are  al] 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  165 

devoted  to  this  single  object.  I  "  forget  the 
things  which  are  behind.  I  reach  forward  to 
the  things  which  are  before.  I  press  toward 
the  mark,  for  the  prize  of  my  high  calling  in 
Christ  Jesus."  The  troubles  and  difficulties  in 
the  Saviour's  service  habitually  arise  from  the 
vain  attempt  to  serve  two  masters.  Never 
will  you  be  able  to  make  your  following  of 
Christ  consistent  with  following  the  world. 
"  The  friendship  of  the  world  is  enmity  with 
God.  Whosoever  will  be  the  friend  of  the 
world,  is  the  enemy  of  God."  This  testimony 
is  just  as  true  in  our  day  as  when  it  was  first 
written. 

The  true  convert  makes  a  complete  surren- 
der of  herself  to  the  Lord.  "  None  but 
Christ,"  is  the  language  of  her  youthful 
heart.  The  service  of  Christ  only,  the  favor 
of  Christ  only,  the  honor  of  Christ  only,  the 
merit  and  righteousness  of  Christ  only,  the 
presence  of  Christ  only,  is  the  simple,  entire 
choice  of  her  soul.  This  furnishes  an  answer 
to  every  temptation,  a  reply  to  every  entice- 


166  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

ment,  a  solution  of  every  difficulty.  I  have 
given  myself  to  the  Lord  in  an  everlasting 
covenant  that  shall  never  be  forgotten.  To 
whom  else  shall  I  go  ?  He  has  the  words  of 
eternal  life. 

"This,  the  God  whom  I  adore, 
This  Eedeemer  shall  he  mine; 
Earth  can  fill  my  soul  no  more, 
Every  idol  I  resign." 

How  simple  and  easy,  then,  becomes  the 
path  of  life.  There  is  but  one  will  to  con- 
sult, but  one  Lord  to  follow,  but  one  master 
to  serve,  but  one  object  to  pursue.  The 
question  is  never,  Where  will  he  lead  me  ?  or 
What  will  he  require  of  me  ?  He  can  not 
lead  me  wrong.  He  can  make  no  demand 
which  is  not  right,  and  none  to  which  I  am 
not  already  resolved  simply  to  yield.  Wher- 
ever he  shall  lead  me,  by  his  grace  I  am 
xesolved  to  follow : 

"  '  Follow  me !'  I  know  thy  voice, 
Jesus,  Lord,  thy  steps  I  see ; 
Now  I  take  thy  yoke  hy  choice, 
Light's  thy  hurden,  Lord,  to  mo." 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  167 

All  things  must  work  together  for  good  to 
me  if  I  love  him.  I  desire  that  his  glory  may 
he  dearer  to  me  than  my  life.  I  would  count 
all  things  hut  loss,  of  no  worth;  for  his  sake. 

Ah,  my  dear  young  friends,  this  sim- 
plicity of  choice  is  most  important  for  your 
happiness.  Every  thing  in  your  prospect 
of  comfort  and  success  in  the  service  of  your 
gracious  Saviour  depends  upon  it.  Let  there 
he  no  reserves  in  your  covenant  with  him. 
Make  a  complete  gift  of  yourself  to  Jesus 
your  Lord.  Determine  henceforth  to  have 
no  other  master  hut  him,  and  to  consult  no 
other  will  than  his.  He  has  much  for  you  to 
do  that  you  know  not  yet ;  and  much,  per- 
haps, for  you  to  hear,  that  you  would  shrink 
from  now.  But  his  grace  is  sufficient  for 
you.  You  can  do  all  things  if  Christ  shall 
strengthen  you.  And  whatever  you  may  he 
required  to  do  or  suffer  for  him,  he  can  make 
to  work  for  your  salvation  and  your  increased 
happiness  in  his  service.  Let  it  he  your 
single,  entire  choice  to  glorify  and  honor  him 


168  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

according  to  his  own  direction  and  wisdom. 
This  will  be  peace  and  blessedness  for  you 
here  and  for  ever. 

Euth's  choice  was  a  determined  choice, 
Lovely  and  gentle  as  she  appears,  and  hum- 
bly and  affectionately  as  she  pleads,  there 
was  amazing  dignity  and  firmness  in  her 
stand.  "While  you  listen  to  her  protestation 
and  appeal,  you  can  not  but  feel  that  the 
power  of  Moab  is  finally  broken.  Useless  will 
be  all  attempts  to  lead  her  back  to  its  idol- 
atry or  its  crimes.  There  is  wondeiful 
strength  in  this  simplicity  of  determination. 
Her  position,  as  she  stands  before  us,  amounts 
almost  to  the  sublime.  Her  very  youth  and 
feebleness  enhance  the  grandeur  of  the  scene. 
The  Christian  Church  has  delighted  to  num- 
ber the  examples  of  such  feeble,  faithful 
daughters  of  the  Lord  Almighty,  who  out  of 
weakness  have  been  made  strong,  and  have 
overcome  by  their  fidelity  the  armies  of  the 
aliens.  God  the  Saviour  has  rejoiced  to  per- 
fect his  praise  out  of  the  mouths  of  the  babes 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  169 

and  sucklings  of  his  heavenly  family.  Some 
of  the  most  triumphant  and  remarkable 
deaths  in  the  history  of  early  martyrdom  for 
Christ  are  of  young  and  tender  virgins  who 
calmly  and  boldly  endured  every  conceivable 
torture  without  a  moment's  faltering.  "  I 
am  a  Christian,"  was  their  gentle  but  firm 
reply  to  every  solicitation  to  recant,  until, 
worn  out  with  suffering,  they  departed  to  be 
with  Christ.  You  may  never  be  called  to 
the  same  sorrows.  But  you  will  be  always 
summoned  to  the  same  decision.  Jesus  will 
always  require  from  you  the  same  unshrink- 
ing, determined  choice. 

How  effective,  how  useful  is  the  young 
Christian  who  carries  out  this  determined 
spirit !  She  shines  like  a  light  in  a  dark 
place.  The  Church  delights  in  her  example. 
The  worldly  may  deride.  The  carnal  and 
giddy  may  scoff,  and  affect  to  ridicule  and 
despise  her.  They  may  call  her  enthusiastic, 
fanatical,  ascetic,  priest-ridden.  But  she  has 
only  to  hold  on  her  way  to  wax  stronger  and 
8 


170  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

stronger.  She  stops  not  to  listen,  or  to  argue, 
or  to  reply.  She  presses  on  in  her  chosen 
path,  without  casting  one  longing  glance 
behind.  It  is  not  far  that  this  swarm  of 
buzzing,  biting  insects  follow  her  on  her  road. 
They  live  in  that  low  marsh  which  lukewarm 
profession  cultivates  on  the  borders  of  true 
religion ;  where  the  dividing  line  is  run, 
where  Euth  and  Orpah  part.  They  fly  but  a 
little  distance  from  their  native  swamp.  Be 
faithful  and  press  on  quickly,  boldly,  and  you 
will  soon  leave  them  far  behind. 

"While  your  mind  is  unsettled,  hesitating, 
considering,  doubting,  the  enemy  may  be- 
wilder you  much.  He  knows  not  the  Lord's 
purposes  concerning  you.  He  hopes  yet  to 
cast  down  one  whom  the  Lord  has  loved. 
His  agents  and  agencies  are  crowding  around 
you,  innumerable  and  annoying.  Your  own 
mind  is  like  a  vessel  yet  upon  the  ocean, 
which  may  be  captured,  perhaps,  by  his 
power,  and  carried  to  some  other  port  as  a 
prize  for  his  possession.     But  when  you  havo 


THE    FAITHFUL    CHOICE.  171 

made  an  open,  sincere,  and  determined  choice 
of  Jesus  as  your  master — when  you  have 
freely  yielded  your  heart  to  him  as  your 
Saviour — you  have  entered  a  harbor  of  rest. 
You  are  held  by  an  anchor  sure  and  steadfast. 
And  the  enemy  molests  you  in  these  attacks 
no  more.  Soon  worldly  inducements  will 
cease.  Worldly  invitations  will  be  withheld. 
Worldly  acquaintance  will  forget.  And 
whether  the  sea  has  closed  over  you  in  death, 
or  the  harbor  has  received  you  in  security, 
becomes  to  them  a  matter  of  indifference. 
They  cease  to  tempt  in  their  mere  neglect  of 
you,  and  unless  their  bitterness  arises  to  pe- 
culiar hostility  to  your  religion,  they  will  not 
take  the  trouble  of  persecution.  You  are 
thus  soon  forgotten  by  the  world,  and  left  in 
comparative  peace.  Paul  says,  "  I  am  cruci- 
fied unto  the  world,  and  the  world  is  crucified 
unto  me."  That  is,  we  have  finally  parted. 
Our  reciprocal  opinions  of  each  other  are  of 
no  mutual  consequence.  What  they  think 
of  me  I  care  not.     "None  of  these  things 


172  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

move  me  ;  neither  count  I  my  life  dear  unto 
myself,  so  that  I  may  finish  my  course  with 
joy,  and  testify  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God." 

This  walk  in  the  path  of  abiding  peace 
depends  on  the  fidelity  and  determination  of 
your  early  stand.  Great  peace  have  they 
who  really  love  the  law  and  will  of  God,  and 
nothing  shall  offend  them.  The  most  un- 
happy persons,  perhaps,  on  earth,  as  well  the 
least  influential,  and  the  most  despised,  are 
they  who  thus  try  to  please  men ;  either  to 
propitiate  the  world  from  fear,  or  to  hold  on 
upon  it  from  appetite.  They  build  their 
cabins  on  the  border.  They  determine  there 
to  live,  really  committed  to  neither  party, 
and  sacrificing  none  of  the  advantages  which 
they  imagine  they  may  derive  from  both. 
Let  me  entreat  you  to  renounce  this  whole 
lukewarm  set,  and  move  far  off  from  the 
worldly  territory  which  they  inhabit.  Like 
Ruth,  make  your  choice  of  Jesus  as  your 
Lord,    single,    determined,    final.      Depend 


THE    FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  178 

upon  his  grace.  Pray  for  his  help.  Lean 
upon  his  arm.  And  let  the  language  of  your 
heart  ever  be?  "  Where  thou  lodgest  I  will 
lodge  ;  whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go  ;  where 
thou  diest,  I  will  die ;  and  there  will  I  be 
buried."  Let  nothing  separate  me  from  thy 
love,  and  leave  me  not,  neither  forsake  me, 
0  God  of  my  salvation. 

Hutu's  choice  was  an  instant  choice.  She 
asked  no  time  for  consideration.  Her  mind 
was  made  up.  Her  decision  was  settled. 
She  staggered  not  in  unbelief,  nor  wavered 
amidst  conflicting  motives.  How  earnestly 
she  expressed  this  settled  purpose  !  "  Entreat 
me  not  to  leave  thee."  I  am  thoroughly 
resolved  to  go  with  thee,  whatever  the  jour- 
ney may  cost  me,  or  require  of  me.  I  have 
already  determined  every  question  connected 
with  the  solemn  purpose  and  plan  which  I 
have  formed.  I  do  not,  and  will  not  again 
regard  it  as  a  question  with  whom  I  shall 
go.  I  am  finally  determined  to  go  with 
thee. 


174  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

There  is  much  that  is  animating  in  the 
frankness  and  squareness  of  this  instant  decis- 
ion. Why  should  we  ever  hesitate  a  moment 
in  our  acceptance  of  the  Saviour's  offers  ? 
Surely  when  the  Lord  sets  before  us  life  and 
death,  a  blessing  and  a  curse,  and  bids  us 
choose  for  ourselves  which  we  will  have,  we 
require  no  time  for  consideration.  When  our 
minds  are  taught,  our  conscience  is  awakened, 
and  our  judgment  convinced,  then  every  mo- 
ment's delay  in  accepting  the  pardoning  mer- 
cy of  the  Lord,  and  in  following  the  renewing 
guidance  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  is  but  increased 
rebellion.  We  can  not  require  of  him  further 
light,  or  information,  or  conviction.  It  has 
become  a  mere  question  of  personal,  voluntary 
choice.  This  can  never  be  settled,  but  by  our 
own  personal  decision  and  act.  If  it  is  to  be 
settled,  it  must  be  finally,  in  a  single  moment 
of  time.  Why  should  that  moment  be  de- 
layed ?  Why  should  that  frank  and  affec- 
tionate choice  be  postponed  ?  Yet  I  have 
known  young  persons  as  well  as   old   ones 


THE    FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  175 

remain  for  months  and  sometimes  for  years 
in  this  convinced  and  halting  state.     They 
would  weep  in  bitterness  over  the  remem- 
brance of  their  sin.     But  they  could  not  be 
persuaded  to  believe  the  divine  assurance  of 
the  complete  fullness  of  pardoning  love.     The 
simple  testimonies,  "  I  have  blotted  out  thy 
transgressions  ;  I  will  no  more  remember  thy 
sins  ;  the  Lord  hath  put  away  thy  sin  ;  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  as  from  all 
sin  ;"  they  could  not,  would  not  receive.    And 
in  the  pride  and  hardness  of  their  own  hearts, 
they  continued  to  refuse  the  gracious  offers 
and   commands   of  the   Gospel,  waiting  for 
something  more  to  be  done  for  them.     This 
is  all  but  continued  rebellion  and  increasing 
guilt.     I  pray  you,  my  dear  young  friends, 
avoid    it.      Keject    the   enemy's   temptation 
which  would  lead  you  to  it.     Make  an  instant 
choice.     Say  "  When  thou  sayest,  Seek  ye  my 
face,  my  heart  replies,  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I 
seek." 
I  knew  a  gay  and  worldly  youth,  engaged 


176  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

in  the  business  and  frivolities  of  an  earthly, 
pleasure-seeking  life  ;  careless  of  his  soul,  and 
thoughtless  of  God.  By  a  Divine  call  he  was 
awakened  on  one  morning  before  he  rose,  to  .re- 
flect upon  his  wasted,  sinful  life.  He  saw  at 
once  his  guilt,  his  folly,  his  danger.  Deeply 
impressed  with  the  view,  he  did  not  hesitate 
a  moment.  He  sprang  from  his  bed,  kneeled 
down  upon  the  floor,  and  made  an  instant, 
solemn  dedication  of  himself  to  God.  He 
went  down  to  his  business  another  man.  Old 
things  had  passed  away.  All  things  had  be- 
come new.  His  heart,  his  tastes,  his  habits, 
his  purposes  were  all  changed.  Never  did  he 
turn  back  from  that  hour.  He  lived  to  be 
made  extensively  useful  in  the  ministry  of 
the  Gospel,  by  the  Lord  who  had  called  him 
in  that  morning  hour,  and  to  whose  voice  he 
obediently  listened  as  soon  as  it  was  heard. 
Doubts,  fears,  anxieties  never  followed  him. 
Karely  have  I  known  a  happier  course  than 
he  pursued,  resulting  from  that  instant  choice 
of  the  Saviour  as  his  Euler  and  his  Portion. 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  177 

Why  should  any  of  you  hesitate  ?  All  the 
arguments  of  truth,  of  interest,  of  duty,  of 
happiness,  are  on  one  side.  The  privileges  of 
the  Gospel  will  not  tarry  your  vain  delay. 
The  Holy  Spirit  will  not  wait  to  strive  with 
your  rebellious  hesitation.  Arise  at  once, 
and  cast  in  your  lot  with  Christ,  and  with  hi? 
people,  and  enter  to-day  upon  your  final,  glo- 
rious journey  to  a  heavenly  land.  Never, 
never  will  you  look  back  again  with  regret 
upon  the  Moab  you  leave.  Never,  never  will 
you  mourn  over  the  choice  your  heart  has 
made. 

When  Birth's  faithful  choice  was  thus  made, 
she  was  allowed  to  go  on  her  way  in  peace. 
"  When  Naomi  saw  that  she  was  steadfastly 
minded  to  go  with  her,  then  she  left  speaking 
unto  her."  The  young  convert's  sincerity  of 
heart  was  now  proved.  The  firmness  and 
reality  of  her  purpose  could  not  be  doubted. 
There  was  no  necessity  or  reason  for  further 
examination  of  her  motives,  or  further  trial 
of  her  steadfastness  of  spirit.  There  sh6 
8* 


178  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

stood,  acknowledged,  honored,  and  accepted 
as  a  chosen  traveler  for  [Emmanuel's  land.  No 
further  obstacle  was  interposed. 

My  young  friends,  you  little  know  how 
much  of  the  character  and  success  of  your 
whole  religious  life  depend  upon  the  charac- 
ter of  your  first  choice.  If  this  is  simple  and 
distinct,  that  will  be  clear,  uniform,  and  hap- 
py. As  you  have  received  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord,  so  will  you  walk  in  him.  You  need 
have  no  doubts  to  harass,  and  no  fears  to  dis- 
turb you.  Your  path  may  be  a  path  of  pleas- 
antness and  peace.  Your  light  may  shine 
yet  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 
But  if  your  choice  be  hesitating  and  half- 
hearted, so  will  be  your  whole  course.  Your 
mind  will  be  clouded  with  difficulties,  and 
your  way  harassed  with  temptations  and  foes. 
A  skeptical,  questioning  spirit  is  a  great  in- 
firmity, and  a  great  affliction.  Take  the 
Word  of  God  as  infallible  truth,  and  believe 
it,  and  live  upon  it.  Make  it  your  daily  ob- 
ject to  understand  it  more  clearly,  and  to 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  179 

gain  more  real  enjoyment  of  its  promises  and 
hopes.  Take  the  gracious  Saviour  as  your 
chosen  friend,  your  conscious  and  beloved 
friend.  Let  no  doubt  of  his  love  be  cherished 
— no  question  of  his  tender  kindness  to  you 
ever  be  allowed.  Go  on  your  heavenward 
journey,  with  the  constant  assurance  that  he 
who  hath  loved  you  will  love  you  to  the  end, 
and  with  an  everlasting  love.  But  this  whole 
character  of  your  Christian  life  will  depend 
upon  the  nature  of  its  beginning.  Be  sure, 
therefore,  to  start  right.  Make  Hutu's  hum- 
ble, affectionate,  entire,  determined,  instant 
choice  of  a  Saviour's  love,  and  a  Saviour's 
service.  At  once  embrace  his  promises,  and 
rejoice  to  be  permitted  to  belong  to  him. 
Thus  your  whole  journey  shall  be  accom- 
plished, under  the  guidance  of  his  Holy  Spi- 
rit, with  the  same  steadfast  mind,  and  the 
same  single,  happy  purpose  with  which  he  has 
enabled  you  to  undertake  it. 

Such  young  Christians  as  these  require  from 
us  but  little  watching.     They  are  useful,  in- 


180  THE    KICH    KINSMAN. 

fluent ial,  and  happy — the  crown  and  joy  of 
the  pastors  to  whom  they  have  "been  given. 
We  never  find  them  among  the  backsliders  or 
wanderers  into  the  world  of  surrounding  wick- 
edness. We  have  no  fears  or  anxieties  lest 
they  will  rush  into  the  mad  idolatries  and 
unsatisfying  self-righteousness  of  encroaching 
Popery.  By  them  the  open  Gospel  is  pro- 
claimed. By  them  the  Gospel  is  made  attract- 
ive. By  them  the  Saviour  is  honored.  By 
them  the  souls  of  men  are  saved.  They  are 
the  ones  whom  the  Lord  follows  with  his 
constant  blessing.  Their  trumpet,  neither  in 
their  voice  or  their  example,  ever  gives  an 
uncertain  sound. 

They  are  a  happy,  cheerful  flock.  The 
happiness  of  the  family  flows  from  them. 
They  are  the  consolers  of  the  mourning,  the 
comforters  of  the  afflicted.  They  are  the 
friends  and  guides  of  the  penitent,  and  the 
teachers  of  the  ignorant.  The  awakened  seek 
to  them  to  be  led  to  Christ.  The  Church 
rejoices  in  them.     The  world  itself  respects 


THE   FAITHFUL   CHOICE.  181 

and  reveres  thcrn.  Jesus  loves  them,  and  is 
satisfied  in  them.  Heaven  "watches  them 
with  delight,  and  receives  them  with  joy. 
And  before  a  Father's  throne  they  stand 
accepted,  tiiumphant  in  Jesus  their  Lord, 
with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 


VIII. 

flu  'gulnslxlitx's  gUtum. 


Bo  they  two  went  until  they  came  to  Bethlehem.  And  it  came  to  pas« 
•when  they  were  come  to  Bethlehem,  that  all  the  city  was  moved  about 
them,  and  they  said,  Is  this  Naomi  ?  And  she  said  unto  them,  Call 
me  not  Naomi,  call  me  Mara:  for  the  Almighty  hath  dealt  very  bit- 
terly with  me.  I  went  out  full,  and  the  Lord  hath  brought  me  home 
again  empty ;  why  then  call  ye  me  Naomi,  seeing  the  Lord  hath  tcs* 
tified  against  me,  and  the  Almighty  hath  afflicted  me  ?— Kuth,  i.  19-22. 


We  have  now  to  trace  the  journey  of  Nao- 
mi and  Kuth.  They  go  to  Judah  and  Beth- 
lehem with  very  different  feelings,  though 
they  travel  together.  To  Naomi  the  journey 
is  full  of  remembrances  of  the  past.  To  Kuth 
it  presents  nothing  but  hopes  of  the  future. 
Naomi  returns  with  the  deepest  humiliation, 
feeling  her  own  unworthiness,  and  doubting 
as  to  what  may  be  her  lot  when  she  shall 
reach  her  old  forsaken  home.     Kuth  feels  her 


THE    BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN".      188 

un worthiness,  but  to  her  there  is  no  special 
reason  for  depression  or  doubt.  She  looks 
forward  without  fear — with  that  confidence  in 
perfect  love  which  casts  out  all  fear.  Her 
joy  in  anticipation  of  her  new  and  chosen 
home  allows  no  torment  to  interpose.  Naomi 
is  a  backslider  returning  to  a  neglected  and 
forsaken  Saviour.  Kuth  is  a  young  convert, 
rejoicing  in  being  first  brought  to  know  and 
experience  his  truth  and  love.  Though  these 
two  classes  travel  the  same  road,  their  indi- 
vidual emotions  are  very  separate.  We  will 
consider  them  separately.  And  for  our  pres- 
ent subject  we  have  before  us  the  Backslider's 
Return. 

But  we  may  well  ask  in  the  beginning, 
What  is  backsliding  ?  We  use  the  word  so 
frequently  that  it  is  quite  important  to  have 
a  distinct  idea  connected  with  it.  I  answer 
you,  Backsliding  is  not  apostasy.  Apostasy 
is  a  deliberate  and  voluntary  turning  away 
from  Christ— renouncing  his  service  and  his 
authority.     The  condition  of  the  apostate  is 


184  THE   KXCH   KINSMAN. 

the  worst  of  all  conditions.  "  The  last  state 
of  that  man  is  worse  than  the  first."  "It 
had  been  better  for  them  not  to  have  known 
the  way  of  righteousness,  than  after  they  have 
known  it,  to  turn  from  the  holy  Gommand- 
ment  delivered  unto  them."  "  There  remain- 
eth  no  more  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain 
fearful  looking  for  of  judgment  and  fiery  in- 
dignation which  shall  devour  the  adversaries." 
We  can  have  no  hope  of  the  apostate's  return. 
But  we  can  not  say  of  any  living  individual 
that  he  is  such  an  apostate — God  only  know- 
ing his  heart — and  it  is  by  God's  own  judg- 
ment that  he  must  stand.  We  are  to  invite 
all,  and  to  encourage  all  to  turn  from  their 
sin  and  receive  the  Saviour's  invitation  and 
promises  of  forgiveness.  But  backsliding  and 
apostasy  are  very  different.  Judas  was  an 
apostate,  and  he  found  no  place  for  real  re- 
pentance, though  he  mourned  bitterly  over 
his  sin.  Peter  was  a  backslider,  and  obtained 
forgiveness  and  divine  restoration,  though  with 
bitterness  and  grief.     The  Lord  looked  upoD 


THE   BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.       185 

Judas ;  and  said,  "  Good  were  it  for  that  man 
if  he  had  not  been  born."  The  Lord  also 
looked  upon  Peter  and  said,  "  Simon,  Simon, 
Satan  hath  desired  to  have  you,  that  he  may- 
sift  you  as  wheat.  But  I  have  prayed  for 
thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not :  when  thou  art 
converted  strengthen  thy  brethren/'  How 
different  were  these  two  addresses  !  Thus 
different  are  apostasy  and  backsliding. 

Against  backsliding  the  Apostle  warns  you 
when  he  says,  "  Therefore  we  ought  to  give 
the  more  earnest  heed  to  the  things  which  we 
have  heard,  lest  at  any  time  we  should  let 
them  slip."  Your  Christian  course  is  like 
the  climbing  a  slippery  steep.  If  you  are 
careless,  trifling,  looking  around,  losing  your 
hold  of  the  ground  which  you  have  already 
attained,  you  will  surely  slip.  You  will  slide 
back.  You  will  fall.  You  would  fall  finally, 
and  to  the  very  bottom,  if  the  gracious  Lord 
did  not  hold  you,  that  you  perish  not.  You 
slide  back  from  your  own  early  profession. 
When  you  came   out   and  separated  your- 


186  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

self  from  the  world,  it  was  to  be  the  Lord's 
alone,  and  to  walk  in  the  world  worthy 
of  his  high  calling.  This  you  promised, 
and  from  this  you  have  fallen  and  slidden 
back.  You  slide  back  from  your  own  early 
experience.  How  earnest  and  single  was 
your  heart  in  the  Lord's  service  when  you 
first  entered  upon  it !  It  was  drawing  water 
with  joy  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation.  But  you 
let  this  slip.  And  now  your  heart  and  affec- 
tions are  cold  and  dull,  and  hard  to  be 
awakened  and  aroused.  You  have  slidden 
back  from  your  first  love.  You  slide  back 
from  the  just  expectations  of  the  Church. 
You  took  the  Lord's  covenant  upon  you  in 
their  midst.  They  had  the  right  to  expect 
that  your  influence,  and  example,  and  efforts, 
would  always  be  a  light  to  others,  a  reproof 
to  the  world,  an  honor  to  Christ.  But  your 
careless  walk  has  let  this  high  standard  slip. 
You  have  slidden  back  from  these  fair  expec- 
tations. And  the  Church  can  not  look  upon 
you  now  without  sorrow,  and  mortification, 


THE    BACKSLIDER'S    RETURN.      187 

and  despondency.  You  slide  back  from  the 
Saviour's  just  demand  upon  you.  He  had  a 
right  to  look  to  you  as  wholly  his.  It  was 
your  own  offer.  Your  own  act  of  choice. 
You  promised  to  serve  and  follow  him  alone. 
But  you  have  slidden  back  from  this.  Jesus 
says,  "  What  shall  I  do  unto  thee  ?  Your 
goodness  is  as  a  morning  cloud,  and  as  the 
early  dew  it  goeth  away/' 

This  is  backsliding.  It  is  the  result  of 
carelessness  and  unwatchfulness  in  your 
Christian  course.  It  may  be  more  or  less. 
The  soul  may  be  still  alive  to  God.  Still 
looking  to  God,  however  feebly.  You  have 
slidden  back,  but  not  turned  back.  Perhaps 
you  are  still  sliding  back,  losing  ground  con- 
stantly, gaining  nothing.  Ah,  if  you  are  not 
arrested  and  stopped,  the  loss  will  be  dread- 
ful, final.  Even  as  it  is,  the  loss  to  you  is 
great.  The  Saviour's  light  is  clouded  from 
you.  Prayer  has  become  cold,  formal,  and 
much  neglected.  The  Bible  is  not  the  lamp 
to  your  feet,  and  sweeter  to  your  taste  than 


188  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

honey  or  the  honey-comb.  Grace  within  you 
is  dull  and  smoldering,  with  hardly  £  spark 
of  light.  Your  outward  life  is  earthly,  not 
spiritual — unsteady,  unedifying.  Your  own 
heart  is  unhappy  and  without  peace.  Much 
have  you  already  lost.  Consider  what  you 
might  have  been  if  you  had  been  faithful. 
See  what  you  are  because  you  have  been 
unfaithful.  Strengthen  the  things  which 
remain,  that  are  ready  to  die.  You  are  not 
an  apostate.  You  are  not  a  castaway.  But 
continued  backsliding  will  be  just  as  ruinous. 
Though  you  do  not  turn  back  deliberately, 
you  may  fall  back  never  to  arise.  "  See 
whence  thou  art  fallen,  and  repent,  and  do 
thy  first  works." 

The  backslider  may  return.  Blessed,  in- 
deed, is  this  privilege  to  him.  "  The  just 
falleth  seven  times  and  riseth  up  again."  God 
will  not  protect  you  from  all  the  sorrows  which 
your  own  follies  and  carelessness  have  pro- 
duced. He  will  make  your  wickedness  to  cor- 
rect you,  and  your  backsliding  to  reprove  you, 


THE   BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.        189 

so  that  you  may  know  and  see  that  it  is  an  evil 
and  a  bitter  thing  to  have  forsaken  the  Lord 
your  God.  The  present  fruits  of  suffering 
which  your  sins  must  bear,  you  will  be  obliged 
to  gather,  even  though  God  shall  graciously 
restore  you  at  the  last.  We  are  not  surprised 
when  we  see  you  fall,  however  we  mourn  over 
it.  We  well  know  the  sadness  of  this  sliding 
back  from  God.  "  There  is  not  a  just  man 
on  earth  that  doeth  good  and  sinneth  not." 
That  you  shall  never  slip,  we  can  not  expect. 
The  Scriptures  are  full  of  the  histories  of 
those  who,  though  they  were  really  the 
servants  of  God,  fell  into  sin.  These  his- 
tories are  written  for  our  admonition,  that 
while  we  think  we  stand  we  may  take  heed 
lest  we  fall.  No  man  can  say,  I  have  cleansed 
myself  from  mine  iniquity.  Noah  was  a  just 
man,  and  perfect  in  his  generation,  and 
walked  with  God.  Yet  Noah  fell.  Abraham 
was  the  father  of  the  faithful.  Yet  Abra- 
ham fell.  Lot  was  a  righteous  man,  and  his 
righteous  soul  was  vexed  from  day  to  day 


190  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

with  the  unlawful  deeds  of  men.  Yet  Lot 
fell.  David  was  beloved  of  God,  ihe  man 
after  God's  own  heart.  Yet  David  fell.  And 
who  that  has  ever  professed  to  love  the  Lord, 
has  not  in  many  things  slidden  back,  and 
come  short  of  the  mark  of  his  high  calling  ? 
We  are  not  to  be  surprised  or  discouraged 
at  this.  You  may  find  yourself  to  have 
wandered  far.  Cast  not  away  your  con- 
fidence, which  hath  great  recompense  of  re- 
ward ;  but  return  to  the  Lord  from  whom 
you  have  wandered. 

Naomi  had  wandered.  But  Naomi  might 
return.  God  had  not  cast  her  away.  He 
will  never  cast  away  those  who  truly  love 
him.  He  calls  them  back  again  to  true 
repentance.  He  heals  their  backslidings  and 
loves  them  freely.  Then,  like  Peter,  they 
may  strengthen  their  brethren.  They  have 
an  experience  of  human  infirmity  which  they 
had  not  before.  They  know  the  dangers  and 
temptations  which  surround  the  Christian's 
path.      They  can  comfort  others  with  the 


THE   BACKSLIDER'S    RETURN.        19l 

consolations  wherewith  they  are  comforted  of 
God.  What  an  encouraging  thought  is  this 
to  the  backslider !  You  need  not  perish. 
You  may  come  back.  You  may  recover  the 
ground  you  have  lost.  Arise  at  once,  the 
Master  calls  you.  Return,,  and  he  will  heal 
you.  He  will  refresh  you  with  new  manifest- 
ations of  his  love,  his  restoring  mercy.  If 
you  feel  a  desire  to  come  back,  the  desire  is 
his  gift.  He  thus  invites  and  encourages 
you.  Let  nothing  separate  you  from  his 
offered  mercy,  or  prevent  your  acceptance  of 
his  gracious  invitations. 

"Return,  0  wanderer,  return, 

And  seek  thy  injured  Father's  face; 

These  new  desires  which  in  thee  burn 

Were  kindled  by  redeeming  grace. 

"Return,  0  wanderer,  return, 

The  Saviour  bids  thy  spirit  live; 
Go  to  his  feet,  and  grateful  learn 
How  freely  Jesus  can  forgive. 

'  Return,  O  wanderer,  return, 

And  wipe  away  the  frequent  tear; 
'Tis  Jesus  says,  'no  longer  mourn,' 
'Tis  God  who  bids  thee  cease  to  fear." 


192  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

But  the  backslider  must  return  with  total 
self-renunciation.  Thus  Naomi  even  re- 
nounces her  right  to  her  former  name. 
"  Call  me  not  Naomi.  Call  me  Mara  ;  for 
the  Almighty  hath  dealt  very  "bitterly  with 
me."  They  said,  "Is  this  Naomi?"  Yes, 
I  was  Naomi  when  I  was  contented  and 
happy  in  the  house,  and  among  the  people 
of  God.  I  was  Naomi  when  we  took  sweet 
counsel  together,  and  walked  to  the  house 
of  God  in  company. 

"What  peaceful  hours  I  once  enjoyed, 
How  sweet  their  memory  still ! 
But  they  have  left  an  aching  void 
The  world  can  never  fill." 

How  foolish  was  I,  and  like  a  Least  before 
him,  thus  to  wander  from  his  holy  ways  ! 
Call  me  not  Naomi  now.  I  have  no  right  to 
that  name.  All  was  pleasant  then.  But  the 
remembrance  is  bitterness  now.  Call  me 
Mara.  Let  me  come  back  as  the  poorest  of 
the  poor,  sorrowful,  and  self-condemned. 

The  backslider  feels  no  claim  to  a  former 


THE    BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.       193 

Christian  character.  He  has  no  right  to  re- 
turn to  God.  God  might  justly  have  cut  him 
off  and  cast  him  away.  He  could  have  had 
no  ground  for  complaint  if  he  had  been 
finally  rejected  when  he  thus  voluntarily 
disobeyed.  The  very  permission  to  return  is 
a  great  mercy. 

"Yet,  sovereign  mercy  calls,  'Return,' 
Dear  Lord,  and  may  I  come? 
My  vile  ingratitude  I  mourn. 
0  take  the  wanderer  home." 

He  is  compelled  to  say,  call  me  not  a  Chris- 
tian. I  have  forfeited  that  blessed  name. 
Call  me  a  sinner,  the  chief  of  sinners.  But 
as  such,  suffer  me  to  return  again  to  God. 
"  I  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  a  son ; 
make  me  as  one  of  thy  hired  servants.5'  This 
the  Holy  Spirit  makes  him  feel.  All  that  he 
had  gained  he  has  foolishly  thrown  away. 
He  must  now  come  back  with  even  deeper 
humiliation  than  if  he  had  never  come  before. 
Deeper  sense  of  his  own  need  will  press  him 
down.  Deeper  feeling  of  his  own  degradation 
9 


194  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

will  humble  him.  Happy  would  it  have  been 
had  he  never  wandered.  But  that  happiness 
he  can  not  now  feel.  True,  God  will  still 
love  him.  His  Father  will  meet  him  and 
pardon  him.  He  will  still  call  him  his  child. 
"  Is  Ephraim  my  dear  son  ?  Is  he  a  pleasant 
child  ?  For  since  I  spake  against  him,  I  do 
earnestly  remember  him  still.  I  will  surely 
have  mercy  on  him,  saith  the  Lord."  But, 
amidst  all  this  overflowing  kindness  from  a 
pardoning  God,  by  which  God  is  pacified 
toward  him  for  all  that  he  hath  done,  he  can 
not  but  remember  his  sin,  and  dare  not  open 
his  mouth  in  self-vindication,  for  shame.  He 
loathes  himself  in  his  own  sight  for  all  his 
iniquities.  With  the  feeling  of  entire  self- 
renunciation  he  would  love  to  begin  again  his 
Christian  course,  and  have  all  that  has  passed 
forgotten  for  ever. 

The  backslider  must  come  back  with  con- 
scious emptiness.  He  has  nothing  to  bring  ; 
nothing  to  offer.  Naomi  says,  "  I  went  out 
full,  and  the  Lord  hath  brought  me  home 


THE   BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.         195 

again  empty."  How  true  is  this !  What 
can  yon  bring  hack  from  your  wanderings  in 
Moah  hut  the  hitter  rememhrance  of  your 
folly  ?  Vain  is  the  attempt  to  recall  the  joys 
of  those  hours  of  pleasure  for  which  you  have 
given  your  soul.  Your  former  peace — your 
happiness  in  a  Saviour  consciously  beloved — 
your  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  graciously 
taught  and  led  you  in  the  heavenly  way,  are 
gone.  In  vain  do  you  try  to  restore  or  renew 
them  in  your  state  of  folly. 

"Where  is  the  blessedness  you  knew 
When  first  you  saw  the  Lord? 
Where  is  the  soul-refreshing  view 
Of  Jesus,  and  his  word  V 

And  what  can  the  world  give  to  compen- 
sate you  for  this  loss  ?  Your  Christian  char- 
acter, your  religious  influence  over  others, 
and  their  confidence  in  the  firm  fidelity  of 
your  religious  purposes,  are  all  gone.  Tain 
will  he  your  effort  to  renew  them,  but  in  the 
sure  and  manifest  renewal  of  your  own  Chris- 
tian  life.     Who  will  willingly  anchor  upon 


196  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

a  floating  island  ?  The  fickle  backslider  can 
do  no  good,  except  as  a  warning  monument 
to  others.  Your  own  free  confidence  in  God 
as  your  heavenly  Father,  your  filial,  frank, 
and  affectionate  spirit  in  your  relations  to 
him,  are  gone.  How  painfully  you  feel  this 
in  your  private  attempts  to  pray  !  How  often 
God  seems  to  he  far  from  you  !  How  often 
will  your  burdened  spirit  cry  out  like  Job, 
"  Oh  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him  ! 
That  I  might  come  even  to  his  seat !  Behold 
I  go  forward,  but  he  is  not  there  ;  and  back- 
ward, but  I  can  not  perceive  him ;  on  the 
left  hand  where  he  doth  work,  but  I  can  not 
behold  him ;  he  hideth  himself  on  the  right 
hand,  that  I  can  not  see  him."  Nothing  but 
sadness  can  come  from  a  careless  backsliding 
from  God.  And  so  far  as  your  own  acts  and 
conduct  are  concerned,  you  must  return  to  him 
with  perfect  emptiness.  If  divine  grace  and 
long-suffering  shall  receive  you — if  the  Holy 
Spirit  shall  consent  to  restore  you,  and  lead  you 
back  to  the  mercy-seat,  once  more  accepted — 


THE    BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.      197 

it  will  be  all  as  a  free  gift  to  the  cliief  of  sin- 
ners. If  any  improvements  are  asked  from 
you,  what  can  you  say  ?  Where  is  your  first 
love,  your  youthful  devotion,  your  early  obe- 
dience, your  prayer,  your  penitence,  your  faith, 
your  joy  in  God,  your  delight  in  doing  his 
will  ?  Ah,  how  sadly  have  you  to  reply,  "  I 
have  lost  them  all !  I  went  out  full,  but  the 
Lord  hath  brought  me  home  again  empty." 


'In  my  hand  no  price  I  bring, 
Simply  to  his  cross  I  cling." 


Yet  how  precious  is  the  expression,  "  The 
Lord  hath  brought  me  back  I"  Yes,  though 
I  am  empty,  and  have  nothing  ;  though  I  am 
vile  in  his  sight,  and  "  mine  own  clothes  abhor 
me  ;"  though  I  was  worthy  of  his  rejection  and 
his  wrath  ;  yet  he  did  not  leave  me  in  my  sin, 
nor  suffer  me,  unpardoned,  to  perish.  He 
has  brought  me  back  to  his  feet,  and  where 
my  sin  hath  abounded,  his  grace  hath  so 
much  the  more  abounded.  But  I  come  back 
empty.     Every  thing  has  failed  me  exccpl 


198  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

the  loving-kindness  and  mercy  of  my  God. 
No  condition  can  be  more  humbling  than 
this.  And  the  backslider  feels  this  low  and 
destitute  state  in  which  the  Lord  finds  him 
as  throwing  him  more  completely  upon  sov- 
ereign, pardoning  mercy,  than  he  ever  realized 
before. 

""lis  mercy,  mercy  I  implore: 
O  let  thy  mercies  move ! 
Thy  grace  is  an  exhaustless  store, 
And  thou  thyself  art  love." 

The  backslider  must  return  with  a  deep 
sense  of  guilt.  Naomi  thus  interprets  all  her 
sorrows.  "  Why  call  ye  me  Naomi,  seeing 
the  Lord  hath  testified  against  me,  and  the 
Almighty  hath  afflicted  me  ?"  She  has  not 
a  word  of  excuse,  or  self-justification.  Thus 
the  widow  of  Sarepta  said  to  Elijah,  "  Why 
hast  thou  come  to  call  my  sin  to  my  remem- 
brance by  slaying  my  son  ?"  Her  sorrow 
brought  her  own  guilt  to  mind.  And  she 
was  made  to  mourn  with  a  twofold  grief. 
Thus   the  returning  backslider  will  always 


THE   BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.         199 

feel.  The  consciousness  of  his  guilt  oppresses 
his  heart.  Like  a  heavy  load,  the  remem- 
brance of  his  unnecessary  transgressions  lies 
upon  him.  How  he  has  crucified  the  Lord 
afresh,  and  put  him  to  an  open  shame  !  How 
he  has  wounded  him  in  the  house  of  his 
friends  !  What  obstacles  he  has  placed  in 
the  way  of  others  who  may  be  desiring  to  find 
a  Saviour  !  What  ingratitude  he  has  shown 
to  Christ  for  all  his  kindness  to  himself ! 
What  occasion  he  has  given  to  the  enemies  to 
blaspheme  !  It  is  vain  to  attempt  to  lessen 
this  sense  of  guilt.  The  remembrance  of  it, 
under  the  heart-breaking  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  oppresses,  and  must  oppress.  Secret 
hours  of  bitterness  and  mourning  are  appoint- 
ed him.  Closet  humiliation  and  weeping  are 
in  store  for  him.  He  comes  back  through  a 
mournful  path. 

Let  this  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  have  free 
course  in  you.  Do  not  attempt  the  least  jus- 
tification of  yourselves.  Speak  not,  think 
not  of  any  temptation  that  led  you  astray, 


200  THE    KICH    KINSMAN. 

or  of  the  influence  of  any  companions,  or  of 
the  want  of  watchfulness  of  any  friends,  o* 
of  the  unfaithfulness  of  others  in  instructing 
and  warning  you,  or  of  the  example  and 
habits  of  others  in  the  social  circle  in  which 
you  live,  as  the  least  extenuation  of  your  own 
guilt.  0,  no.  You  have  no  one  to  blame  but 
yourself.  You  have  been  tempted,  only  be- 
cause you  were  drawn  away  by  your  own  lust. 
You  have  been  enticed  by  the  lusting,  sinful 
spirit  which  dwells  within  your  own  heart. 
No  circumstances  can  be  allowed  to  reduce 
your  sense  of  your  own  guilt.  However  your 
blessed  Lord  may  have  mercy  upon  your  igno- 
rance of  unbelief,  and  plead  for  you  that 
your  spirit  was  often  willing  when  your  flesh 
was  weak,  you  can  make  no  such  plea  for 
yourself.  Do  not  attempt  either  to  cover 
yourself  by  reducing  your  standard  of  duty,  or 
by  denying  that  the  wanderings  of  which  you 
are  conscious,  were  guilty.  Ah,  you  may 
unite  with  those  who  put  darkness  for  light, 
and  call  evil  good,  but  you  will  gain  nothing 


THE   BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.       201 

by  such  attempts  at  deception.  God  can  not 
"be  mocked.  Your  earthly,  careless  backslid- 
ings  from  the  high  calling  by  which  you  were 
called — whatever  the  giddy  world  may  think 
of  them,  or  whatever  mere  formal  religionists 
around  you  may  call  them  —  are  guilty ; 
amidst  your  light  and  opportunities,  deeply, 
dreadfully  guilty.  Nothing  can  blind  our 
eyes  to  this.  Music  may  be  entrancing — 
beauty  attractive — dress  adorning  —  society 
mirthful  and  bewildering — refinement  may 
gild  it — admiration  may  crown  you  in  it — 
your  silly  mind,  like  some  charmed  bird,  may 
float  around  in  this  unreal  atmosphere  in 
circles  of  delusive  joy — but  it  is  all  guilt.  It 
is  all  ruin.  The  price  you  have  paid  for  it 
all  is  the  love,  authority,  and  presence  of 
your  Saviour.  Jesus  is  the  sacrifice,  and  the 
world  has  been  the  god.  0  shun  every 
thought  of  self-justification.  Adopt,  acquire, 
insist  upon,  a  real  consciousness  of  guilt  as 
the  only  characteristic  of  your  course.  The 
Lord  testifies  against  you.  Be  willing  and 
9* 


202  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

determined  to  testify  against  yourself.  Come, 
with  an  humbled,  broken,  contrite  heart,  from 
all  your  wanderings  in  folly,  and  cast  yourself, 
in  deep  humiliation,  at  a  Saviour's  feet — im- 
ploring pardon,  but  acknowledging  and  feeling 
that  you  deserve  rejection  and  condemnation. 

"  Foul,  I  to  the  Saviour  fly, 
Wash  me,  Saviour,  or  I  die." 

Yet,  while  the  backslider  himself  mourns, 
others  rejoice  over  him.  "It  came  to  pass, 
when  they  were  come  to  Bethlehem,  that  all 
the  city  was  moved  about  them ;  and  they 
said,  Is  this  Naomi  ?"  Her  friends  had 
not  forgotten  her.  They  gather  around  her 
again  with  delight.  All  Bethlehem  rejoices. 
Naomi's  poverty  and  wanderings  are  for- 
gotten. She  has  herself  returned,  and  this  is 
enough.  The  poor  prodigal  had  hardly  time 
to  say,  "Father,  I  have  sinned,"  before  his 
jfather  buries  his  voice  in  his  own  bosom,  and 
lifts  up  a  sound  of  joy  which  completely 
drowns  the  accents  of  the  wanderer's  grief. 
"Bring  forth  the  best  robe,  and  put  it  on 


THE   BACKSLIDER'S   RETURN.        203 

him  ;  and  put  a  ring  on  his  hand  ;  and  shoes 
on  his  feet ;  and  bring  hither  the  fatted  calf 
and  kill  it ;  and  let  us  eat  and  be  merry ; 
for  this  my  son  was  dead,  and  is  alive  again  ; 
he  was  lost,  and  is  found/'     0  how  blessed 
is  this  instruction  !     The  penitent  backslider 
may  come  to  Bethlehem  without  fear.     He 
may  go  to  the  fountain  of  the  Saviour's  blood, 
in  the  full  assurance  that  it  can  wash  him  as 
white  as  snow.     "  All  his  transgressions  that 
he  hath  committed,  they  shall  not  be  men- 
tioned unto  him/'     The  Lord  will  multiply  his 
pardons.     If  he  truly  believe,  and  trust  him- 
self simply  and  penitently  to  the  Saviour's 
merit,  and  the  Saviour's  love,  his  scarlet  and 
crimson  are  like  snow  and  wool.     He  has  no 
penances    to    enact — no    loads  to  bear — no 
periods  of  doubt  and  painful  uncertainty  to 
go  through.     Let  him  come  to  Christ,  and  it 
is  enough.     The  righteousness  of  "  God  mani- 
fest in  the  flesh"  is  still  his.     Free  salvation  is 
still  for  him.     Complete  deliverance  is  still 
his  own,     As  he  first  received  Christ  Jesus 


204  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

the  Lord,  so  let  him  now  walk  in  him ;  and 
he  will  love  him  freely ;  he  will  heal  all  his 
backslidings,  and  will  save  him  for  his  own 
name's  sake,  though  his  backslidings  testify 
against  him.  There  will  be  great  joy  at  his 
return.  The  Lord  rejoices — angels  rejoice — 
saints  rejoice — the  Church  rejoices.  Oh,  what 
a  song  of  praise  does  his  restoration  awaken  ! 
Heaven  and  earth  unite  to  say,  over  the 
returning  wanderer,  "  Is  this  Naomi  ?"  Is 
this  the  wanderer  ?  This  the  captive  that 
we  thought  was  lost  ?  This  the  giddy  child 
that  was  bent  to  backsliding,  and  fled  from 
all  restraint  ?  This  the  poor  sinner  who  has 
been  plucked  as  the  prey  from  the  jaws  of  the 
lion  ?  Who  hath  begotten  us  these  ?  Sing, 
0  heavens,  for  the  Lord  hath  done  it.  Shout, 
ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth,  for  the  Lord  hath 
blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud  their  transgress- 
ions, and  as  a  cloud,  their  sins.  0  return. 
Keturn  then.  Fly  instantly,  affectionately, 
to  the  pardoning  blood  of  Jesus,  and  all  is 
well  for  you  for  ever  ! 


IX. 

©|t  g flung  Cfluuuf. 


her,  which  returned  out  of  the  country  of  Moab.    And  they  came  tc 
Eethlehem  in  the  beginning  of  barley-harvest. — Ruth,  i.  22. 


The  return  of  the  backslider  was  our  last 
theme.  "  So  Naomi  returned."  We  have 
seen  the  path  of  humiliation  and  the  result 
of  blessedness  and  peace,  as  exemplified  in 
her  case.  But  it  was  happy  for  Naomi  that 
she  did  not  return  alone.  "  Ruth,  the  Moab- 
itess,  her  daughter-in-law,  returned  with 
her."  "  They  two  went  until  they  came  to 
Bethlehem."  They  were  companions  through 
all  the  journey.  They  participated  in  the 
happiness  in  which  the  journey  resulted. 
They  possessed  together  the  prosperity  which 


206  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

was  bestowed  upon  tliem  in  consequence  of 
their  return.  -  Little  was  Naomi  aware  of  the 
treasure  she  was  bringing  to  Israel,  or  of  the 
honor  which  was  in  store  for  Kuth.  She  says, 
"  The  Lord  hath  brought  me  back  empty." 
And  it  was  so,  so  far  as  she  was  herself  con- 
cerned. But  the  Lord  had  brought  back 
with  her  one  whom  all  generations  should  call 
blessed  ;  one  who  was  to  be  a  mother  of  the 
promised  Messiah,  the  anointed  Saviour  of 
Israel — an  honor  which  every  daughter  of 
Israel,  considered  the  very  highest  in  their 
nation.  We  are  now  to  contemplate  her 
admission  to  Israel.  The  young  convert's 
entrance  among  the  people  of  God. 

We  can  not  enter  upon  such  a  view  without 
stopping  for  a  moment  to  think  of  the  happi- 
ness of  Naomi  in  such  a  companion.  How 
great  was  the  privilege  to  her,  to  bring  back 
with  her  own  return  so  precious  a  soul  to  the 
Lord  of  Hosts  !  One  main  feature  of  our 
mature  Christian  life  is  its  constant  success- 
ion of  returns  from  backsliding.     God  is  daily 


THE   YOUNG   CONVERT.  207 

graciously  renewing  our  decays.  The  longer 
we  live  and  walk  in  the  path  of  grace  the 
more  clearly  does  our  own  sinfulness  appear 
to  us.  and  the  deeper  does  it  seem  to  be.  I 
might  say,  our  daily  life  is  but  a  daily  back- 
sliding, and  a  daily  effort  to  return.  Our 
weekly  and  yearly  life  is  but  a  repetition  of 
the  same  experience  on  a  larger  scale.  In 
every  thing  we  come  short  of  manifest  and 
conscious  duty.  We  should  despair  and 
perish  were  it  not  for  the  Lord's  gracious 
promise,  "  I  will  heal  .their  backslidings  ;  I 
will  love  them  freely ;  for  mine  anger  is 
turned  away  from  them."  But  the  gracious 
power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  excites  and  enables 
us  to  return.  The  Saviour  still  pities  us  and 
receives  us.  The  Father  still  bears  with  us 
and  accepts  us.  Happily,  the  most  of  our 
falls  and  sins  are  secret.  Our  gracious  God 
mercifully  hides  our  folly,  protects  our  charac- 
ter, and  suffers  us  not  to  be  dishonored  in  the 
view  of  others  when  we  have  very  much  dis- 
honored him.     Our  errors  and  wanderings  are 


208  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

often  unknown  to  others.  And  we  may  at 
the  same  time  be  growing  in  holiness  in  their 
estimation,  when  we  are  the  most  deeply 
humbled  under  the  consciousness  of  sin  in 
ourselves. 

How  great  is  our  privilege  if,  in  our  age, 
we  find  our  children  and  our  youthful  friends 
ready  to  come  back  with  us  to  the  service  of 
G-od  !  What  an  unspeakable  joy  it  is  to  a 
Christian  parent  to  be  attended  by  his  chil- 
dren in  the  heavenly  path !  "What  an  en- 
couragement and  consolation  it  is  to  see  them 
led  by  our  example,  ignorant  of  our  secret 
humiliations  ;  to  have  them  come  to  us  with 
confidence  and  affection,  and  freely  ask  the 
way  to  Zion,  and  faithfully  avow  their  pur- 
pose to  travel  with  us  to  the  heavenly 
country  !  "So  they  two  went  together  until 
they  came  to  Bethlehem."  I  can  not  con- 
ceive a  greater  blessing  in  social  life  than 
when  we  can  say  this  of  father  and  son,  of 
mother  and  daughter.  This  is  a  bond  which 
must  long  outlast  every  other  one  ;  and  a 


THE   YOUNG   CONVERT.  209 

treasure  of  enjoyment  which  must  remain 
when  every  other  one  has  failed.  How  such 
companionship  in  religion  relieves  the  sorrows 
of  the  road  !  How  it  multiplies  the  joys  of 
the  way  !  Let  us  never  forget  that  sympathy 
divides  our  griefs  and  doubles  our  enjoyments. 
It  is  never  good  for  one  to  be  alone  in  the 
path  which  leads  to  God.  No  blessing  can 
be  greater  than  such  family  religion.  The 
benefit  is  mutual.  The  parent's  faith  is 
strengthened  and  animated  by  an  observation 
of  filial  devotion.  The  child's  heart  is  en- 
couraged and  upheld  by  an  experience  of 
parental  fidelity.  Instead  of  the  parents  are 
the  children.  They  will  take  our  place  in 
the  sanctuary.  They  will  fill  up  our  useful- 
ness in  the  Church.  They  will  maintain  our 
warfare  in  the  world.  They  will  perpetuate 
our  influence  among  men,  They  will  honor 
our  memory  after  we  are  gone.  They  will 
meet  us  crowned  in  glory.  We  shall  not  be 
ashamed  when  we  speak  with  them  in  the 
heavenly  gate. 


210  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

The  mother  and  the  daughter  take  sweet 
counsel  together  on  their  journey.  Naomi 
has  much  to  tell,  Kuth  has  much  to  ask,  in 
reference  to  the  new  home  to  which  they  are 
returning  together.  The  child's  readiness  to 
hear  is  a  swift  witness  of  the  transparent  sin- 
cerity and  excellence  of  parental  example. 
We  have  no  witnesses  of  our  religious  conduct 
more  scrutinizing,  or  generally  more  accurate, 
than  the  consciences  of  our*  children.  How- 
ever often  filial  love  may  lead  to  the  covering 
or  excusing  our  domestic  faults,  they  form  a 
real,  and  generally  accurate  opinion  of  the 
reality  of  our  Christian  profession.  And  it  is 
a  most  grateful  tribute  from  the  Lord's  hand, 
when  they  can  freely  come,  and  confer  with 
us  of  the  great  interests  of  our  common  sal- 
vation. Let  parents  encourage  this  spirit  of 
confidence.  By  openness,  and  tenderness, 
and  reasonableness  of  conduct  and  expecta- 
tion, let  them  strive  to  win  the  minds  of 
youth  to  confiding  and  affectionate  communi- 
cation. 


THE   YOUNG   CONVERT.  211 

Their  mutual  prayers  and  encouragements 
are  full  of  advantage.  The  blending  of  the 
varied  experience  of  the  two  becomes  helpful 
to  both.  The  despondency  of  age  is  animated 
by  the  joyful  anticipations  of  youth.  The 
effervescence  of  youth  is  moderated  by  the 
experience  and  soberness  of  age.  The  hours 
of  affliction  are  made  lighter.  The  burden 
of  care  and  trial  loses  half  its  power  to  op- 
press. Many  a*sorrow  which  would  completely 
press  down  the  mother  alone,  becomes  an  ab- 
solute comfort  and  blessing  by  the  religious 
spirit  and  affectionate  ministrations  which  it 
calls  forth  in  the  child.  And  Naomi  finds  a 
happiness  in  the  society  of  Kuth  which  she 
hardly  hoped  to  find  again  upon  the  earth. 
"  So  they  went  together."  Unity  of  feeling, 
unity  of  interests,  unity  of  hope  bind  them  to- 
gether. They  have  fellowship  one  with  an- 
other. They  separate  not  in  the  whole  course 
of  the  journey.  They  came  together  to  Beth- 
lehem. They  enter  the  land,  the  people,  the 
house  of  the  Lord  together.    What  greater 


212  THE    EICH    KINSMAN. 

comfort  can  there  be  to  declining  age  than 
the  presence  and  ministrations  of  religious 
youth  ?  What  a  solace  is  it  to  a  dying  pa- 
rent's heart  to  breathe  his  last  in  the  midst 
of  filial  gratitude  and  piety  !  To  close  his 
eyes  upon  earth  with  their  last  vision  upon  a 
family  whom  he  hath  trained  for  Christ — 
whom  the  Lord  has  really  called  to  his  ser- 
vice— and  who  survive  him  on  the  earth  to 
perpetuate  the  memory  of  his  love,  and  the 
influence  of  his  character,  to  the  glory  of  their 
common  Father  and  Lord  !  Well  does  the 
Apostle  say,  "Honor  thy  father  and  thy 
mother,  which  is  the  first  commandment  with 
promise,"  full  of  blessings  in  its  religious  ob- 
servance, both  to  the  parents  and  to  the 
children. 

But  while  Kuth  took  sweet  counsel  with 
Naomi,  her  thoughts  and  feelings  were  still 
in  a  great  degree  peculiar  to  herself,  and 
completely  her  own.  To  her  every  prospect 
is  hopeful,  and  her  imagination  loves  to  stray 
through  all  the  anticipations  which  are  pre- 


THE    YOUNG   CONVERT.  213 

sented  to  her  youthful  mind.  Nothing  ap- 
pears discouraging  to  her,  in  the  views  which 
she  indulges.  This  is  a  blessed  privilege  of 
youthful  piety.  It  gives  ample,  delightful 
employment  to  the  divinely-bestowed  powers 
of  imagination.  What  we  call  castle  building, 
in  connection  with  our  possible  earthly  affairs, 
that  is,  anticipations  and  schemes  which  are 
wholly  fanciful,  and  never  likely  to  be  real- 
ized, is  no  longer  building  castles  in  the  air 
when  we  are  guided  by  the  hopes  and  prom- 
ises which  the  Gospel  brings.  Here  we  may 
anticipate  with  assurance,  and  roam  with  un- 
checked delight.  Heaven  is  eternal  youth ; 
an  eternal  succession  of  anticipations  and 
hopes.  The  young  Christian  truly  living  and 
walking  in  Christ,  rejoices  in  the  hopes  which 
a  Saviour  gives  ;  is  encouraged,  ardent,  and 
delighted  in  looking  forward  over  the  way  in 
which  the  great  Captain  of  salvation  is  lead- 
ing the  sons  of  God.  The  happiness  of  true 
piety  is  habitually  the  commanding  feeling 
of  such  a  heart.     Often  has  such  a  one  said 


214  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

to  me,  "  I  can  not  sympathize  with  some  of 
your  statements  of  the  trials  of  religion.  The 
path  seems  to  me  to  be  filled  with  joys.  I 
see  no  trials  or  sorrows  in  it."  Thus  would 
Kuth  have  said.  She  could  have  no  feeling 
but  unmingled  pleasure  in  the  prospect  of  the 
journey  she  had  undertaken. 

Every  step  of  this  journey  is  new.  And  her 
hourly  experience  is  as  encouraging  as  her 
anticipations.  Prospects  and  scenes  are  con- 
stantly opening  upon  our  heavenly  road  which 
were  before  unknown.  There  is  nothing 
stale  or  unexciting  in  a  youthful  religious  life. 
Every  day  brings  new  experience  of  a  Sa- 
viour's love — new  enjoyment  of  the  teaching 
of  the  Spirit — new  opportunities  to  do  some- 
thing for  Christ — new  intelligence  of  the  tes- 
timonies of  his  word — new  pleasure  in  the 
offerings  of  worship  to  him — and  new  readi- 
ness to  endure  and  suffer  for  his  sake.  When 
the  mind  has  been  enlightened  with  clear 
views  of  the  Saviour's  truth,  and  his  pardon- 
ing love  and  justifying  righteousness  are  seen 


THE   YOUNG   CONVERT.  215 

and  embraced  with  a  ready  and  thankful  faith, 
then  the  path  of  obedience  seems  ever  open, 
and  ever  plain.  The  obstacles  are  few,  and 
are  disregarded.  The  trials  are  small,  and 
furnish  no  subject  for  complaint.  The  privi- 
lege of  the  Lord's  service  seems  great  and 
precious.  And  each  day  prepares  some  pleas- 
ure for  the  soul  that  has  thus  been  taught  to 
love  him,  which  was  not  seen  or  felt  before. 

Delightful  encouragements  arise  in  her 
mind  which  overwhelm  all  possible  regrets  or 
fears.  How  many  hopes  and  plans  cluster 
around  Bethlehem  and  Judah !  She  knows 
not  what  the  Lord  has  prepared  for  her.  It 
has  not  entered  into  her  youthful  heart  to 
conceive  the  actual  blessings  which  are  laid 
up  in  store  for  her  there.  But  she  knows  that 
all  must  be  well  and  happy  for  her  under  the 
shadow  of  his  wings  in  whom  she  has  come  to 
put  her  trust.  Well  may  you  appropriate  all 
this,  my  young  Christian  friends.  "  Who  is  he 
that  will  harm  you  if  ye  be  followers  of  that 
which  is  good  ?."    What  encouraging  hopes 


216  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

crowd  to  animate  your  youth  in  the  service  of 
your  Lord  !  How  useful  to  others  you  may  be- 
come !  Many  may  he  waiting  to  hear  the  word 
of  God  from  your  mouth.  Many  souls  may 
be  prepared  to  be  given  as  seals  to  your  min- 
istry, and  your  example.  Little  can  you  im- 
agine to  what  an  extent  this  may  be  !  God 
has  laid  open  to  you  a  path  of  unlimited  use- 
fulness on  earth.  I  mean  unlimited  by  any 
bounds  which  we  have  a  right  to  fix.  He 
only  could  describe  it  to  you.  Arise,  and 
take  advantage  of  it.  Make  full  proof  of  the 
privileges  he  bestows,  and  be  eager  and  deter- 
mined to  fill  up  the  measure  of  your  dispen- 
sation from  him.  Come,  give  your  life  and 
strength  freely  and  simply  to  the  glory  of 
your  crucified  Lord.  "  Thine  are  we,  David. 
And  on  thy  side,  thou  son  of  Jesse.  Peace  be 
unto  thee.  And  peace  be  to  thine  helpers'. 
For  thy  God  helpeth  thee."  Nothing  is  in 
your  way.  You  may  do  all  things  through 
Christ  that  strengtheneth  you,  and  be  made 
more  than  conquerors  in  him. 


THE   YOUNG   CONVERT.  217 

She  comes  with  a  deep  sense  of  her  own 
unworthiness.  But  this  is  silenced  by  her 
conscious  desire  and  choice.  The  young  con- 
vert knows  and  feels  his  guilt.  But  he  need 
not,  and  does  not  stop  to  sit  down  under  the 
mere  dominion  of  grief  for  the  past.  He  has 
his  new  work  to  do.  He  must  press  forward  in 
it.  And  the  cloud  will  pass  away,  and  leave 
him  in  the  sunshine  of  his  Saviour's  love,  to 
finish  and  perfect  it.  He  sees  complete  for- 
giveness in  the  blood  of  his  gracious  Lord. 
He  hears  of  perfect  acceptance  in  the  merit 
of  the  Master  whom  he  now  serves.  With 
nothing  of  his  own  but  guilt,  he  yet  can  come 
freely  and  with  confidence  to  the  fountain 
which  Christ  has  opened,  and  be  at  peace. 
And  at  the  same  time  he  can  feel  and  say, 
"  I  am  nothing,  less  than  nothing ;  yet  I 
have  all,  and  abound  in  Christ.  All  things 
are  mine,  because  I  am  his."  Thus,  my  dear 
youth,  look  to  Jesus.  Cast  your  burdens  and 
cares  at  his  feet.  Leave  them  there,  and  set 
out  upon  the  path  of  new  obedience  and  new 
10 


218  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

duty  under  the  shelter  and  guidance  of  youi 
new  Master,  who  will  be  more  than  all  to 
you. 

But  the  perseverance  of  Kuth  furnishes 
us  with  another  most  important  example. 
"  They  went  together  until  they  came  to 
Bethlehem."  There  is  no  fact  which  gives 
the  Church  more  peculiar  joy  in  the  coming 
of  young  converts  to  Christ  than  their 
habitual  perseverance.  They  are  the  ones 
who  "  hold  fast  the  beginning  of  their  con- 
fidence steadfast  unto  the  end."  Those 
"  who  are  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord 
shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God.  They 
shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age.  They 
shall  be  fat  and  flourishing ;  to  show  that 
the  Lord  is  upright,  and  there  is  no  unright- 
eousness in  him."  What  is  thus  the  Lord's 
promise  is  also  the  constant  experience  of  his 
Church.  Who  are  they  that  go  forth  to 
preach  the  Gospel  ?  To  plant  the  truth  of 
Jesus  in  heathen  lands  ?  Who  are  they  that 
labor  to  teach,   and   guide,   and  bless    the 


THE  YOUNG  CONVERT.  219 

young  ?  Who  are  they  that  honor  the  Lord 
■with  their  substance,  and  the  first  fruits  of 
their  increase  ?  Who  are  they  that  are 
valiant  for  his  Word,  and  maintain  the  honor 
of  his  law  ?  These  are  all  the  young  converts 
to  the  Saviour.  They  can  be  useful,  fruitful, 
honorable  for  him.  They  can  be  increasingly 
happy  in  themselves.  He  loves  those  who 
early  love  and  seek  him.  And  our  habitual 
experience  is,  that  the  multitude  of  back- 
sliders and  false  professors  are  not  generally 
found  among  them.  We  see  them  holding 
on  their  way,  and  waxing  stronger  and 
stronger  even  to  the  end.  They  have  the 
blessed  privilege  of  saying,  "0  Grod,  thou 
hast  taught  me  from  my  youth.  And  hitherto 
I  have  declared  thy  wondrous  works.  Now 
also,  when  I  am  old  and  gray-headed,  0  God, 
forsake  me  not.  Thou  shalt  increase  my 
greatness,  and  comfort  me  on  every  side." 
The  most  fruitful,  faithful  Christians  are 
habitually  those  who  begin  the  earliest.  I 
would  earnestly  press  upon  you  a  remem- 


220  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

brance  of  this  truth  ;  and  entreat  you  to  set 
out  now — to-day — in  the  morning  hour — in 
simple  dedication  of  yourselves  to  the  Lord, 
and  with  a  fixed  determination  never  to 
withhold  your  hand  from  his  work  till  the 
evening  come  ; 

"  Till  in  life's  latest  hour  you  bow, 
And  bless  in  death  a  bond  so  dear." 

The  time  of  Kuth's  arrival  at  Bethlehem 
was  most  significant.  "  They  came  to  Beth- 
lehem in  the  "beginning  of  barley-harvest." 
The  barley-harvest  of  Palestine  was  in  the 
early  spring.  The  barley  was  sown  after  the 
autumnal  rains,  in  the  month  of  October,  and 
the  harvest  was  in  the  month  of  April.  It 
was  a  time  of  special  joy,  the  first  spring- 
gathering  of  their  annual  fruits.  The  harvest 
is  always  employed  as  an  illustration  of  satis- 
faction and  joy.  "They  joy  before  thee, 
according  to  the  joy  of  harvest."  And  is  it 
not  always  a  scene  of  rejoicing  when  the 
sinner    relurns  ?      When    backsliders    come 


THE    YOUNG   CONVERT.  221 

again  to  their  first  love;  and  new  trophies  of 
the  Saviour's  power  are  brought  to  his  sanc- 
tuary— there  is  abounding  joy.  The  master 
and  the  reapers  rejoice  together  over  the  prod- 
ucts of  the  field  which  the  Lord  hath 
blessed.  The  husbandman  casts  his  seed  in 
the  ground.  Thus  do  we  scatter  the  seed  of 
the  Saviour's  word  upon  the  minds  and  hearts 
of  men.  And  when  the  Holy  Spirit  gives  life 
and  growth  to  the  heavenly  seed,  and  it 
springs  and  grows  up,  and  bears  its  fruit  unto 
life  eternal,  in  a  harvest  of  converted  souls, 
happy  is  the  pastor  who  has  toiled  and 
waited.  Happy  is  the  church  which  is  thus 
refreshed.  Happy  they  who  are  returning 
with  their  streams  of  joyful  hope.  He  that 
soweth  and  he  that  reapeth  rejoice  to- 
gether. 

The  harvest  was  a  time  of  opening  abun- 
dance. No  wants  or  poverty  were  pressing 
now.  There  is  thus  bread  enough  and  to 
spare  in  the  Saviour's  house.  And  when  the 
sinner  finds  a  shelter  there,  he  finds  all  his 


222  THE    EICH    KINSMAN. 

needs  supplied.     His  soul  has  abundance  of 
all  tilings  which  it  desireth. 

"Every  longing  satisfied 
"With  full  salvation  blessed." 

No  more  encouraging  time  could  there 
have  been  for  Kuth's  first  acquaintance  with 
Israel.  Every  aspect  of  the  land  was  promis- 
ing and  prosperous.  The  fields  glowed 
around  in  their  beauty.  The  sounds  of  joy 
arose  on  every  side.  The  sight  of  plenty 
crowned  every  prospect.  And  she  sees  her 
new  home  clothed  with  every  attraction. 
Like  the  Queen  of  Sheba,  she  is  ready  to  say, 
"  The  half  was  not  told  me."  Is  it  not  al- 
ways so  when  we  first  come  to  the  feet  of 
Jesus,  and  find  our  peace  and  acceptance 
there  ?  Now  we  seem  to  live  for  the  first 
time.  There  is  reality,  happiness,  satisfac- 
tion here.  We  are  no  longer  ashamed  of  our  , 
pursuit.  We  no  longer  desire  to  roam  in  the 
wilderness  of  earthly  folly.  We  have  found 
him  whom  our  soul  loveth,  and  we  have 
found  every  thing  we  want  in  him. 


THE   YOUNG   CONVERT.  223 

The  barley-harvest  was  the  time  of  the 
passover.  The  weeks  between  the  passover 
and  the  pentecost  they  "  began  to  number 
from  the  time  they  put  the  sickle  in  the 
corn/'  The  beginning  of  the  barley-harvest 
was  the  bringing  the  first-fruits,  a  sheaf  of 
their  barley,  to  present  it  before  the  Lord. 
Arid  when  the  seven  weeks  which  were  to  be 
numbered  were  completed,  two  loaves  of  their 
new  bread  must  be  brought  as  another  first- 
fruits  to  present  in  his  sanctuary — the  token 
of  their  harvest  now  complete.  Thus  this 
young  convert  from  the  Gentiles  comes  as 
the  first-fruits  of  a  Gentile  harvest  to  be 
gathered,  and  is  welcomed  with  Israel  as  a 
partaker  of  the  paschal  feast.  Happy  are  we 
in  welcoming  our  youthful  friends  giving 
evidence  of  their  new-birth  for  God,  and  their 
living  faith  in  Jesus,  to  the  table  of  the  Lord. 
Happy  is  the  house,  the  first-fruits  of  which 
are  thus  consecrated  and  sanctified  by  the 
Spirit  to  be  the  Lord's  for  ever.  Happy  is 
the   church  where    youthful  members  flock 


224  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

around  the  Saviour's  board,  delighting  to  say 
to  hhn,  "  My  Father,  thou  art  the  guide  of 
my  youth." 

The  Saviour  was  the  first-fruits  of  the 
resurrection.  He  ascended  to  present  himself 
before  the  Father's  throne — entering  as  our 
forerunner  within  the  vail.  The  loaves  of 
the  completed  harvest  will  be  presented  when 
"he  has  accomplished  the  number  of  his 
elect,"  and  brought  out  his  everlasting  glori- 
ous kingdom.  Then  shall  ail  his  grain  be 
gathered  to  his  garner,  and  the  chaff  de- 
stroyed in  unquenchable  fire.  Ah,  when  that 
great  day  shall  come,  then  will  Euth  appear 
with  him  in  glory.  The  great  harvest 
finished,  and  all  his  saints  with  him  for  ever. 
My  dear  young  friends,  shall  you  be  there  ? 
Has  the  Saviour  had  the  first  sheaf  of  your 
youth  ?  May  he  hope  to  have  the  loaves  of 
your  maturity  ?  0  seek  now  the  harvest  of  his 
Spirit's  work  within  you.  Thus  in  that  great 
day  may  you  partake  the  joy  of  the  Saviour's 
harvest  in  the  multitude  of  his  redeemed. 


X. 


%\t  gidr  kinsman 


And  Naomi  had  a  kinsman  of  her  husband's,  a  mighty  man  of  wealth 
of  the  family  of  Elimelech;  and  his  name  was  Boaz.— Euth,  ii.  1. 


There  have  already  passed  before  our  view 
the  wanderers  in  the  folly  and  suffering  of 
their  flight  from  God ;  the  backslider  in  her 
awakening  from  sin,  and  her  penitent  return 
to  find  again  the  mercy  she  had  cast  away ; 
and  the  youthful  convert  in  her  first  rescue 
from  guilt,  her  faithful  choice  of  the  service 
of  God,  and  her  happy  entrance  among  his 
people.  A  new  scene  opens  to  us  now.  The 
lovely  character  of  Kuth  is  connected  with 
the  majestic  revelation  of  Hutu's  Kedeemer. 
This  presents  to  ub  the  main  object  of  tho 
10* 


226  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

whole  history,  which  is  not  merely  an  exhi- 
bition of  Buth's  character,  but  also  an  illus- 
tration of  her  complete  redemption. 

The  law  of  God  provided  for  every  wasted 
and  impoverished  Israelite  a  particular  kins- 
man, whose  duty  it  was  to  bear  the  responsi- 
bilities of  his  redemption.  This  was  to  be 
the  nearest  kinsman  who  had  the  ability  to 
accomplish  the  redemption  which  was  re- 
quired. And  though  Boaz  was  not  the 
nearest  kinsman  to  Naomi,  yet  the  one  who 
was  nearer  in  his  relation  had  not  the  ability 
to  redeem  her,  and  Boaz  became  their  ap- 
pointed and  sufficient  redeemer. 

The  title  which  the  law  gave  to  this  desig- 
nated kinsman  was  Goel,  meaning  one  who 
redeems,  the  kinsman-redeemer.  There  could 
be  but  one  such.  The  legal  appointment 
gave  him  very  peculiar  rights,  and  laid  upon 
him  very  particular  obligations.  We  may 
with  profit  first  cite  the  language  of  the  legal 
institution.  "  The  land  shall  not  be  sold 
for  ever ;    for  the  land  is  mine ;  for  ye  are 


THE    KICH   KINSMAN.  227 

strangers  and  sojourners  with  me.  And  in 
all  the  land  of  your  possession  ye  shall  grant 
a  redemption  for  the  land.  If  thy  brother 
be  waxen  poor,  and  hath  sold  away  some  of 
his  possession,  and  if  any  of  his  kin  come  to 
redeem  it,  then  shall  he  redeem  that  which 
his  brother  sold.  And  if  the  man  have  none 
to  redeem  it,  and  himself  be  able  to  redeem 
it,  then  let  him  count  the  years  of  the  sale 
thereof,  and  restore  the  overplus  unto  the 
man  to  whom  he  sold  it  that  he  may  return 
unto  his  possession.  But  if  he  be  not  able  to 
restore  it  to  him,  then  that  which  is  sold  shall 
remain  in  the  hand  of  him  that  hath  bought 
it,  until  the  year  of  jubilee  ;  and  in  the  jubilee 
it  shall  go  out,  and  he  shall  return  unto  his 
possession.  And  if  a  sojourner  or  stranger 
wax  rich  by  thee,  and  thy  brother  that 
dwelleth  by  him  wax  poor,  and  sell  himself 
unto  the  stranger  or  sojourner  by  thee,  or  to 
the  stock  of  the  stranger's  family  ;  after  that 
he  is  sold  he  may  be  redeemed  again  ;  one 
of  his  brethren  may  redeem  him ;  either  his 


228  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

uncle  or  his  uncle's  son  may  redeem  him  ;  or 
any  that  is  nigh  of  kin  unto  him  of  his  family 
may  redeem  him ;  or  if  he  be  able,  he  may 
redeem  himself.  And  he  shall  reckon  with 
him  that  bought  him;  from  the  year  that  he 
was  sold  to  him  unto  the  year  of  jubilee  ;  and 
the  price  of  his  sale  shall  be  according  unto 
the  number  of  years,  according  to  the  time 
of  an  hired  servant  shall  it  be  with  him. 
And  if  he  be  not  redeemed  in  these  years, 
then  he  shall  go  out  in  the  year  of  jubilee, 
both  he  and  his  children  with  him." — Leviti- 
cus, xxv. 

"  Speak  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  when 
a  man  or  woman  shall  commit  any  sin  that 
men  commit,  to  do  a  trespass  against  the 
Lord,  and  that  person  be  guilty,  then  they 
shall  confess  their  sin  which  they  have  done  ; 
and  he  shall  recompense  his  trespass  with  the 
principal  thereof,  and  add  unto  it  the  fifth 
part  thereof,  and  give  it  unto  him  against 
whom  he  hath  trespassed.  But  if  the  man 
have  no  kinsman  to  recompense  the  trespass 


THE   KICH   KINSMAN.  229 

nnto,  let  the  trespass  be  recompensed  unto 
the  Lord." — Numbers,  v.  6. 

Here  the  various  duties  and  rights  of  the 
goel,  the  kinsman-redeemer,  are  described. 
Four  different  things  he  was  to  do.  He  was  to 
redeem  the  property  which  the  impoverished 
family  had  sold.  He  was  to  redeem  the  per- 
sons of  his  poor  relations  from  bondage.  He 
was  to  make  satisfaction  for  the  loss  which 
others  had  endured  by  the  poverty  of  his  rela- 
tive. He  was  to  receive  satisfaction  for  injuries 
which  had  been  done  to  his  kinsman.  These 
were  his  responsibilities  and  his  rights.  In 
all  these  things  the  goel  was  in  the  actual 
place  of  his  impoverished  relative.  He  was 
his  appointed  representative.  What  was 
done  by  him  or  to  him,  in  this  legal  relation, 
was  as  if  it  were  done  by  or  to  the  person 
himself  for  whom  he  appeared.  Just  such 
a  goel  Naomi  and  Kuth  found  in  Boaz. 
God  had  provided  a  rich  kinsman  for  them, 
who  was  perfectly  able,  and  entirely  willing 
to  redeem   their   property,  and    to    restore 


230  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

to  them  their  condition  in  Israel.  And 
the  residue  of  the  story  is  occupied  in  a 
description  of  the  way  in  which  he  actually 
accomplished  this  redemption. 

But  this  whole  appointment  of  the  goel 
was  intended  to  be  a  very  clear  and  beautiful 
type  of  our  gracious  Saviour,  who  has  become 
our  kinsman,  that  he  might  be  our  Eedeemer. 
And  the  history  of  the  actual  instance  of  re- 
demption which  the  story  of  Kuth  gives,  is  as 
clear  an  illustration  of  that  wonderful  work 
of  redemption  which  Jesus  has  accomplished, 
and  which  the  goel  typified.  He  assumed 
our  nature,  and  took  a  body  of  the  same 
earthly  origin  as  our  own,  with  all  its  powers 
and  properties — with  all  the  compassions,  sor- 
rows, and  feelings  of  man,  that  he  might 
redeem  us  from  our  poverty  and  condemna- 
tion, and  restore  to  us  the  inheritance  and  the 
station  in  the  family  of  God  which  we  had 
lost.  By  this  .very  name  Goel,  is  he  habitu- 
ally called  in  those  places  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment which  speak  of  him  as  our  Kedeemer. 


THE    RICH    KINSMAN.  231 

I   may   select   a  few  instances   of    this    for 
you. 

Job  says.  ch.  xix.  25,  26,  "I  know  that  my 
Bedeemer  (my  goel)  liveth,  and  that  he  shall 
stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth ;  and 
though,  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this 
body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God,"  (or  I 
shall  see  God  in  my  flesh,  as  incarnate  for 
me)  "  whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine 
eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another."  This 
was  his  glorious  testimony  of  a  belief  in  the 
future  manifestation  of  the  Saviour  in  human 
flesh — and  the  certainty  of  his  hope  that  he 
should  see  him  in  a  glorified  body,  a  man  like 
himself.  Well  does  he  long  that  such  precious 
words  were  graven  with  an  iron  pen  and  lead 
in  the  rock  for  ever  !  God  has  thus  become 
our  kinsman,  our  goel  in  our  own  flesh.  "  The 
union  in  ImmanueFs  person  of  God's  nature 
with  man's,  is  like  a  ladder  which  reacheth 
from  the  earth  to  heaven.  At  one  end  it  de- 
scends into  the  lowest  depths  of  the  horrible 
pit,  and  at  the  other  it  rises  into  the  heights 


232  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

of  uncreated  blessedness  and  glory."  "  Con- 
template with  the  telescopic  eye  of  faith,  your 
fellow  man,  your  nearest  of  kin,  your  brother 
according  to  the  flesh,  the  native  of  Bethle- 
hem, a  town  which  your  tourists  visit,  the 
Son  of  a  woman  whose  grave  is  among  us  to 
this  day.  Behold  him  clothed  with  the  robes 
of  divine  majesty,  and,  as  the  peer  and  col- 
league of  God  the  Father,  swaying  on  the 
throne  of  eternal  monarchy,  his  scepter  over 
all  that  is  created  in  heaven,  earth,  and  hell ; 
Immanuel,  God  our  kinsman."  (Heivitson.) 
This  is  our  goel,  our  rightful,  appointed  Ke- 
deemer. 

Psalm  xix.  14.  David  says,  "  Let  the  words 
of  my  mouth  and  the  meditation  of  my  heart 
be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  0  Lord,  my 
strength  and  my  Kedeemer/'    (My  goel.) 

Proverbs,  xxiii.  11.  "  Enter  not  into  the 
fields  of  the  fatherless  ;  for  their  Kedeemer 
(their  goel)  is  mighty ;  he  shall  plead  their 
cause  with  thee." 

Isaiah,  xlvii.  4.    "  A  s  for  our  Kedeemer  (our 


THE   RICH    KINSMAN.  233 

goel,)  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  his  name,  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel." 

Jeremiah,  1.  34.  "  Their  Kedeemer  (their 
goel)  is  strong,  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  his  name. 
He  shall  thoroughly  plead  their  cause." 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  many  passages 
in  which  the  Saviour  is  called  our  goel,  in  the 
language  of  the  Old  Testament.  All  that 
the  appointed  kinsman  could  do  for  the  estate 
and  "body  of  his  impoverished  relative,  the 
Lord  Jesus  as  our  goel  does  for  our  souls,  and 
our  everlasting  state.  In  his  humanity  he  is 
our  nearest  kinsman.  In  his  Deity,  he  is 
perfectly  able  to  supply  all  our  wants,  and  to 
defend  us  from  every  danger  and  oppression. 
As  the  promised  goel,  the  Lord  Jesus  has  a 
special  relation  to  Israel  as  a  nation,  and  a 
particular  personal  relation  to  every  believing 
soul.  We  may  in  a  few  words  speak  of  both 
of  these  points. 

He  is  the  goel,  the  kinsman-Kedeemer  of 
the  nation  of  Israel.  He  is  the  seed  of  Abra- 
ham, in  whom  all  the  nations  are  to  be  blessed. 


234  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

God  gave  the  land  of  Canaan  unto  Abrahanij 
and  unto  his  seed  for  ever.  It  was  to  be  theii 
permanent  possession.  But  the  children  of 
Abraham  have  been  long  since  cast  out  of 
their  inheritance.  Their  land  has  been  taken 
from  them,  and  they  have  been  wanderers 
and  exiles  on  the  earth.  They  are  not  reck- 
oned among  the  nations.  Yet  Grod  ordained 
that  this  land  should  not  be  sold  for  ever,  be- 
cause it  was  his  land.  It  was  Immanuers 
land.  And  Immanuel  is  their  kinsman  ac- 
cording to  the  flesh,  who  is  to  restore  again 
that  land  to  the  seed  of  Abraham,  and  to  put 
Israel  again  in  possession  of  the  inheritance 
which  is  theirs  by  an  everlasting  covenant, 
but  from  which  they  have  been  so  long  driven. 
His  feet  are  in  that  day  to  stand  upon  the 
Mount  of  Olives.  He  is  to  be  the  king  over 
all  the  earth.  The  land  shall  be  inhabited  in 
her  place.  Men  shall  dwell  in  it,  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  utter  destruction.  These 
are  some  of  the  divine  promises  concerning 
this  land.     Then  the  children  of  Israel  shall 


THE    RICH    KINSMAN.  235 

return  and  seek  the  Lord  their  God,  and  Da- 
vid their  king.  And  they  shall  fear  the  Lord 
and  his  goodness  in  the  latter  days.  At  that 
time  they  shall  call  Jerusalem  the  throne  of 
the  Lord ;  and  all  nations  shall  be  gathered 
unto  it.  The  house  of  Judah  shall  walk  with 
the  house  of  Israel,  and  they  shall  come  to- 
gether to  the  land  that  God  hath  given  for 
an  inheritance  unto  their  fathers.  They  shall 
dwell  in  the  land  wherein  their  fathers  have 
dwelt,  and  the  Son  of  David  is  to  be  their 
prince  for  ever.  These  are  divine  promises. 
(Genesis,  xiii.  14.  Zechariah,  xiv.  Hosea,  iii. 
Jeremiah,  iii.  17.  Ezekiel,  xxxvii.  25.)  There 
are  many  promises  like  them.  But  I  have 
not  room  to  consider  them  here.  The  Lord 
Jesus  is  to  be  their  kinsman-Eedeemer,  and 
to  restore  to  Israel  the  land,  and  the  liberty, 
and  the  exaltation  which  they  have  lost. 

But  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  also  our  goel, 
our  kinsman-Kedeemer — to  fulfill  the  great 
duties  of  a  Kestorer  to  us.  He  restores  that 
which  he  took  not  away.    All  that  our  impov- 


236  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

erished,  sinful  nature  has  lost,  this  glorious 
Saviour  gives  us  back  again,  to  be  ours  for 
ever.  He  has  redeemed  our  lost  estate.  He 
has  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light,  and 
given  us  a  kingdom  which  can  not  be  moved. 
He  sets  before  us  an  unfading  and  incorrupt- 
ible inheritance,  as  a  kingdom  which  was  pre- 
pared for  us  before  the  world  began,  but 
which  we  have  lost  by  sin,  and  sold  for  our 
own  transgressions.  He  has  redeemed  our 
persons  from  bondage  and  condemnation. 
He  has  been  made  sin  for  us  when  he  knew 
no  sin.  He  has  been  made  a  curse  in  our 
stead,  and  given  himself  a  ransom  for  us. 
Thus  he  has  set  us  at  liberty  from  the  con- 
demnation of  our  guilt— has  freely  pardoned 
our  iniquities — and,  by  the  shedding  of  his 
own  blood,  he  has  delivered  us  from  the  law 
ander  which  we  were  held,  and  has  placed  us 
under  the  dominion  of  his  grace.  By  becom- 
ing himself  a  bond-servant  in  our  place,  he 
has  made  us  free,  with  the  liberty  of  the  chil- 
dren of  God.     He  has  prepared  our  inherit- 


THE   RICH   KINSMAN.  237 

ance  for  us,  and  he  prepares  us  for  our  inher- 
itance, and  puts  us  in  possession  of  it  for  ever. 
He  makes  full  satisfaction  for  all  our  sins. 
His  precious  blood  cleanses  from  all  sin.  By 
one  sacrifice  he  has  perfected  for  ever  them 
that  are  sanctified.  So  that  God  can  be  just, 
and  yet  the  justifier  of  all  who  believe  in  him. 
He  has  thus  magnified  the  divine  law,  and 
made  it  honorable,  by  dying  under  its  sen- 
tence in  our  place,  and  perfectly  obeying  its 
precepts  for  our  salvation.  He  demands  sat- 
isfaction in  our  name.  The  enemy  and  op- 
pressor who  held  us  in  bondage  he  has  bruised 
under  his  feet,  has  triumphed  openly  over 
him,  and  spoiled  him  of  his  prey,  by  plucking 
our  souls  out  of  his  grasp,  and  breaking  his 
dominion  over  us.  Satan  has  no  longer  power 
to  oppress  those  who  receive  Jesus  as  their 
kinsman,  and  have  been  redeemed  and  restored 
by  his  power.  Thus  Jesus  is  our  goel.  He 
fulfills  for  us  every  obligation  which  was  laid 
upon  the  kinsman-redeemer  of  the  Israelites. 
We  may  have  entire  confidence  in  his  willing- 


238  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

ness  and  his  ability  to  restore  and  save  us. 
We  may  go  to  him  just  as  freely  and  hope- 
fully as  the  impoverished  Jew  went  to  his 
kinsman,  perfectly  sure  that  he  is  faithful  and 
just  to  forgive  our  sins  and  cleanse  us  from 
all  unrighteousness. 

This  gracious  character  of  our  blessed  Sa- 
viour is  brought  out  in  many  points  of  view 
in  the  history  of  Boaz.  When  Naomi  re- 
turned to  Judah  with  Kuth,  she  found  a  goel 
already  prepared  for  her.  He  was  "  a  mighty 
man  of  wealth/'  perfectly  able  to  meet  all 
their  wants,  and  to  restore  them  to  their  hap- 
py condition  again.  A  kinsman  already  pro- 
vided. And  such  a  kinsman  has  been  provided 
for  us.  We  need  not  say,  "  Who  shall  ascend 
up  to  heaven  to  bring  Christ  down  from 
above"  ?  He  is  already  prepared  to  be  a  Sa- 
viour for  us,  before  we  are  born.  His  incar- 
nation, sufferings,  and  death  have  been  com- 
pleted. He  has  made  the  way  perfectly  open 
for  our  complete  salvation.  We  have  nothing 
to  do  but  to  receive  him,  trust  in  him,  and 


THE    RICH    KINSMAN.  239 

obey  him,  as  our  gracious  Lord.  Ho  has  him- 
self finished  our  salvation,  and  if  we  accej)t 
him  and  believe  in  him,  we  at  once  possess 
the  glorious  salvation  which  he  has  perfected 
for  us.  Like  Boaz,  he  is  "a  mighty  man  of 
wealth."  All  things  in  heaven  and  earth  are 
his.  And  if  we  are  his,  all  things  are  ours. 
He  can  enrich  his  people  with  every  conceiv- 
able blessing.  No  good  thing  can  they  want 
while  they  have  him  for  their  friend  and  por- 
tion. How  blessed  is  the  recollection  of  this 
fullness  which  dwells  in  our  Lord  !  Perfect 
atonement  for  our  sins.  Glorious  righteous- 
ness for  our  acceptance.  Tender  sympathy 
for  our  needs  and  fears.  The  Holy  Spirit 
without  measure  to  be  bestowed  by  him.  Un-. 
limited  glory  as  the  just  recompense  of  his 
obedience.  Everlasting  security  in  his  merit. 
What  more  can  we  ask  ?  We  are  full — we 
are  rich.  We  reign  as  kings  in  life  eternal,  if 
we  lay  ourselves  in  simple  faith  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus,  and  receive  him  as  our  kinsman  and 
gur  friend.    We  shall  find  no  end  to  his  riches. 


240  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

We  can  not  trust  him  too  entirely,  or  believe 
in  him,  or  hope  in  him  with  too  much  confi- 
dence. We  shall  never  be  straitened  in  him. 
0,  that  I  could  lead  you  to  see  how  clear, 
and  open,  and  perfect,  and  sufficient  is  the 
way  of  salvation  which  he  has  opened  for  you. 
"  Come  unto  me  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 
"  Whosoever  cometh  to  me  I  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out." 

The  name  of  this  rich  kinsman  of  Naomi's 
was  Boaz,  which  means  strength.  In  this 
name  we  may  find  a  memorial  of  our  divine 
Redeemer.  Jesus  is  our  strength  and  our 
Balvation.  He  is  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation  for  us.  What  mighty  works  he 
has  done  for  us  !  What  works  of  mercy  is 
he  still  willing  to  accomplish  !  What  loads 
and  burdens  does  he  bear  in  our  behalf! 
He  has  borne  our  load  of  guilt  in  triumph, 
and  endured  the  condemnation  which  it 
deserved.  He  has  met  the  enemy  of  our 
souls  in  conflict,  and  trodden  down  his  power 
to  oppress.     He  has  burst  the  bars  of  death, 


THE    RICH   KINSMAN.  241 

and  taken  possession  of  a  throne  of  glory 
for  us,  as  one  mighty  to  save.  He  overcomes 
the  dominion  of  sin  in  our  hearts,  and  leads 
us  captive  by  the  power  of  his  grace.  He 
rules  over  all  things  in  heaven  and  earth, 
as  our  Prince  and  Saviour,  the  Lord  of  lords, 
and  King  of  kings,  and  makes  all  things 
work  together  for  good  to  those  who  love 
him.  He  has  promised  to  bring  with  him 
in  his  glory  all  whom  the  Father  hath  given 
to  him,  losing  not  one.  He  will  thus  triumph 
in  us,  in  everlasting  glory,  and  show  himself 
able  to  save  unto  the  uttermost  all  who 
come  unto  him.  Thus  he  is  our.  Boaz,  the 
Lord,  our  strength  and  our  Kedeemer.  And 
whether  we  read  the  law  which  appointed 
the  goel,  or  this  history,  which  so  clearly 
illustrates  the  law,  in  each  case  we  see  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  presented  to  us  as  all 
our  salvation  and  all  that  we  can  desire. 

He  is  our  kinsman-redeemer.     We  see  him 
in  his  lowly  human,  suffering  form,  wearing 
our  nature,  and  bearing  the  burden  of  our 
11 


242  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

sin.  We  see  him  in  the  unsearchable  richer 
of  his  grace  as  God  over  all,  and  in  the 
triumphs  of  his  obedience  as  the  Lord  om 
Righteousness,  possessing  unlimited  wealth 
to  be  applied  to  our  needs.  We  see  him 
of  infinite  might,  exalted  above  the  heavens, 
angels,  authorities,  and  powers  being  made 
subject  unto  him.  We  see  him  fully  pro- 
vided for  us,  waiting  to  be  gracious  to  us, 
and  ready  to  receive  the  poorest  and  the  most 
wretched  of  his  kinsmen  who  come  to  him. 
How  his  character  and  his  work  are  adapted 
to  attract  us  to  himself,  and  to  encourage 
us  in  his  „  service  !  My  dear  young  friends, 
flock  to  his  feet — accept  his  offers — embrace 
his  promises — consent  to  take  him  as  your 
kinsman,  and  love  him  with  grateful  love 
in  return  for  all  his  goodness  and  love  to  you. 
Such  a  rich  kinsman  the  aged  backslider 
found  on  her  return  to  Judah.  Such  a 
kinsman  the  young  convert  became  ac- 
quainted with,  and  united  to,  when  brought 
from  Moab  to  the  land  of  Israel.     The  history 


THE   RICH   KINSMAN.  243 

proceeds  to  tell  us,  in  various  particulars, 
the  works  of  kindness  and  love  which  this 
kinsman  did  for  them.  And  as  these  facts 
come  successively  before  us  we  shall  see  in 
them  beautiful  illustrations  of  the  works  of 
mercy  which  our  blessed  kinsman  and  brother 
accomplishes  for  us.  If  the  Lord  shall  be 
pleased  to  bless  us  with  the  teaching  of  his 
Spirit,  we  shall  see  more,  and  learn  more 
of  a  Saviour's  love  in  every  step  which  we 
take  in  our  study  of  this  beautiful  history. 

M  O  loved,  but  not  enough,  though  dearer  far 
Than  earth,  and  its  mo3t  loved  enjoyments  are, 
None  duly  love  thee,  hut  who,  nohly  free 

■   From  sense  and  self,  lay  up  their  all  in  thee ! 

"My  soul,  rest  happy  in  this  high  estate, 
Nor  wish  in  earthly  wealth  to  he  esteemed  groat 
Receive  the  impression  of  his  will  divine, 
Be  that  thy  glory,  and  those  riches  thine." 


XI. 


%\t  6lmur. 


And  Ruth  the  Moabitess  said  unto  Naomi,  Let  me  now  go  to  the  field, 
and  glean  ears  of  corn  after  him  in  whose  sight  I  shall  find  grace. 
And  she  said  nnto  her,  Go,  my  daughter.  And  she  went,  and  came 
and  gleaned  in  the  field  after  the  reapers :  and  her  hap  was  to  light 
on  a  part  of  the  field  belonging  unto  Boaz,  who  was  of  the  kindred 
of  Elimelech.  And,  behold,  Boaz  came  from  Bethlehem,  and  said 
unto  the  reapers,  The  Lord  be  with  you.  And  they  answered  him, 
The  Lord  bless  thee.— Ruth,  ii.  2-4. 


It  is  not  in  man  who  walketh  to  direct 
his  steps.  God  brings  his  children  by  ways 
that  they  know  not.  He  makes  darkness 
to  be  light  before  them,  and  crooked  things 
straight.  He  does  this  by  opening  to  them 
a  gradual  and  successive  exhibition  of  the 
plans  which  he  has  formed  concerning  them. 
These  plans  are  all  laid  out  and  complete 
in  his  own  mind.    He  is  of  one  mind  alwavs. 


THE   GLEANER.  245 

He  knows  the  thoughts  which  he  thinks 
concerning  them.  But  the  manifestation 
of  his  plans  to  his  people  is  very  gradual, 
and  as  they  are  able  to  hear  it.  This  is 
to  us  a  blessed  thought.  There  is  no  acci- 
dent in  our  lives.  Our  ways  are  ordered 
by  the  Lord,  and  we  may  ever  trust  entirely 
to  him  that  he  will  lead  us  in  perfect  safety. 
He  knows  the  way  that  we  take,  and  if  we 
love  him,  when  he  hath  tried  us  we  shall 
come  forth  like  gold. 

We  have  seen  how  ample  were  the  relief 
and  the  portion  he  had  provided  for  Euth. 
There  was  a  kinsman  prepared  to  protect, 
to  sustain,  and  to  exalt  her,  who  was  a 
mighty  man  of  wealth.  But  as  yet,  she 
had  no  personal  knowledge  of  him.  She  had 
no  means  of  knowing  what  the  gracious 
purposes  of  God  regarding  her  might  be. 
Just  so  we  have  seen  God  has  prepared 
an  all-sufficient  and  waiting  Saviour  for  the 
sinner  who  is  now  poor  and  perishing ;  a 
Saviour    able    to    meet    all    his  wants,   his 


246  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

dangers,  and  his  future  needs.  But  the 
perishing  sinner  knows  nothing  of  him;  or 
of  his  own  interest  in  him.  Yet  God  leaves 
him  not  in  his  ignorance.  He  sends  his  Holy 
Spirit  to  show  him  the  grace  and  glory  which 
are  laid  up  for  him  in  Christ ;  and  to  lead 
him  to  this  gracious  Lord,  that  believing 
in  him  he  may  find  eternal  life  in  him. 
The  way  in  which  God  is  pleased  to  lead 
us  to  Jesus  we  shall  have  opportunity  to 
see,  while  we  trace  the  method  of  Ruth's 
introduction  to  her  rich  kinsman,  in  whom 
she  was  to  find  such  wealth  and  happiness 
for  herself. 

The  first  step  is  to  reduce  her  to  the 
deepest  necessity.  She  has  arrived  with 
Naomi  in  Bethlehem.  But  they  are  there 
in  great  poverty,  and  with  no  apparent 
means  of  relief.  "Want,  like  an  armed  man, 
invades  their  lonely  habitation.  Her  prop- 
osition to  Naomi  displays  the  pressing  char- 
acter of  their  need.  It  speaks  the  extent 
of  their    previous    suffering.     "Let  me  go 


THE   GLEANER.  247 

into  the  fields  and  glean  ears  of  corn."  This 
abrupt  introduction  of  the  request  shows 
what  had  gone  before.  They  might  have 
meditated  in  silence  over  their  extreme  ne- 
cessity, or  they  might  have  been  conversing 
together  on  their  apparently  hopeless  state, 
when  the  thought  suddenly  strikes  the  mind 
of  Kuth — it  is  the  time  of  harvest,  and  the 
poor  and  stranger  go  out  to  glean :  I  will 
go  also.     "  Mother,  let  me  go  and  glean/' 

The  divine  provision  for  the  gleaner  was 
most  gracious.  "  When  you  reap  the  harvest 
of  your  land,  thou  shalt  not  wholly  reap  the 
corners  of  thy  field,  neither  shalt  thou  gather 
the  gleanings  of  thy  harvest.  Thou  shalt 
leave  them  for  the  poor  and  stranger." — 
Leviticus,  xix.  9.  It  was  the  provision  for 
the  destitute  and  the  beggar.  And  such 
is  their  extreme  want  that  they  have  no 
recourse  but  to  beg.  "Mother,  let  me  go 
to  the  fields  and  glean." 

How  this  very  necessity  brought  out  a 
proof  of  the  excellence  of  Kuth  !     We  might 


248  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

have  reasonably  looked  for  the  language  of 
weariness  and  disappointment.  "We  should 
not  have  been  justly  surprised  to  see  her 
give  way  under  a  trial  so  heavy,  or  to  hear 
her  say,  "  Let  us  go  back  to  Moab.  It  was 
better  for  me  with  my  first  husband  than 
now."  This  would  have  been  the  feeling  and 
the  language  of  Orpah,  if  she  had  come 
so  far.  This  is  the  feeling  and  language 
of  many  like  her.  The  weariness  of  earthly 
disajvpointment  makes  them  faint  in  the  day 
of  adversity.  But  this  was  not  Kuth's  mind. 
Love  for  her  mother  constrained  her  to  seek 
a  supply  for  their  need.  But  she  could  not 
sin  even  to  provide  for  her  mother.  The 
supply  must  be  in  Bethlehem,  and  according 
to  the  will  of  God.  And  as  she  looked  out 
upon  the  harvest-field,  and  saw  the  poor 
and  the  stranger  following  the  reapers,  she 
says,  "Mother,  let  me  go  to  the  fields  and 
glean."  And  she  came  to  the  field,  as  a 
poor  stranger,  to  gather  up  the  scattered 
heads  of  barley  which  the  reapers  had  loft 


THE   GLEANER.  249 

in  their  path,  and  in  the  comers  of  the  field. 
It  could  have  been  the  result  only  of  extreme 
necessity. 

Thus  God  brings  the  soul  that  he  has 
loved  and  saved  to  an  experience  of  utter 
want.  He  makes  every  hope  to  fail,  every 
means  of  spiritual  safety  to  depart.  Com- 
forts and  joys,  and  personal  strength,  and 
remembrance  of  his  own  virtues  or  goodness, 
all  fade  entirely  away.  The  poor  sinner 
seems  left  to  perish.  He  looks  round  in  vain 
for  any  relief.  The  Holy  Spirit  convinces 
him  of  sin,  makes  him  to  feel  himself  lonely 
and  lost.  He  has  no  hope.  He  is  in  utter 
despair.  But  his  conscious  necessity  urges 
him  to  come  as  a  beggar,  and  seek  the  pro- 
visions of  mercy  in  the  Saviour's  field.  The 
poor  woman  said,  "  The  dogs  under  the  table 
eat  of  the  crumbs  which  fall/'  Let  me  come 
under  this  deep  humiliation  and  gather  the 
crumbs.  The  pressure  of  conscious  want 
upon  the  soul  is  great,  often  intolerable. 
The  sinner  cries  out,  "  0  wretched  man  that 
11* 


250  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  ?"  But  Jesus 
is  not  far  off.  This  very  pressure  is  his  work. 
The  sinner  must  be  thus  brought  down  to 
feel  himself  lost  and  perishing.  And  when 
the  Spirit  has  accomplished  this,  it  is  an 
important  and  blessed  step  toward  a  full 
revelation  of  the  riches  of  grace  already 
prepared  for  him.  When  he.  can  say,  Let 
me  come  as  a  beggar,  let  me  go  to  the  fields 
and  glean — I  am  willing  to  be  the  lowest 
of  the  low  if  the  Saviour  will  receive  me  ; 
ah,  then,  the  Lord  is  ready  to  rise  upon 
him  with  healing  in  his  wings.  The  day 
of  his  salvation  draws  nigh. 

The  next  step  is  to  take  away  all  feeling 
of  rebellious  pride  in  their  state  of  want. 
This  sinful  pride  is  a  most  common  attendant 
upon  our  earthly  distress.  It  is  the  maintain- 
ing and  magnifying  our  own  claims  and  rights 
to  the  reverence  and  regard  of  others.  It  is 
offended  with  outward  dishonor  and  want  as 
if  it  were  an  injury  inflicted  upon  us.  Its 
opposite  is  meekness  of  spirit  which  feels  our 


THE   GLEANER.  251 

own  unworthirjess,  and  patiently  endures  the 
reproach,  or  the  need,  and  commits  itself  to 
God.  This  pride  is  very  different  from  digni- 
fied self-respect.  That  is  a  guarding  of  our 
character  and  soul  from  the  real  degradation 
of  sin.  Pride  will  submit  to  any  secret  mean- 
ness to  avoid  outward  exposure  to  the  con- 
tempt of  others.  Self-respect  vail  do  no 
wrong,  however  secret,  because  God  whom  we 
love  and  fear,  always  sees.  Joseph  had  great 
self-respect.  He  was  a  poor  bondslave,  yet 
he  says,  "  How  shall  I  do  this  great  wicked- 
ness, and  sin  against  God  ?"  Nehemiah  had 
great  self-respect  when  he  said,  "  Should  such 
a  man  as  I  flee  ?  I  am  doing  a  great  work  ; 
I  will  not  come  down/'  Euth  had  great  self- 
respect,  a  dignity  of  character  that  would 
have  honored  any  condition  in  life.  But  she 
had  no  pride  that  rebelled  against  her  condi- 
tion. She  was  not  ashamed  to  be  poor.  "  Let 
me  glean  after  him  in  whose  sight  I  shall  find 
grace."  This  is  a  most  happy  and  a  most  ex- 
emplary state  of  mind.     She  bowed  down  to 


252  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

the  gracious  will  of  God,  and  was  ready  to 
receive  all  his  mercies  to  her  as  a  gift  of  grace. 
She  demanded  and  expected  nothing  as  a 
claim  of  merit  or  right.  How  important  to 
you  is  such  an  example.  You  may  all  become 
poor,  very  poor.  Your  gracious  Master  had 
not  where  to  lay  his  head.  There  is  no  dis- 
honor in  honest,  patient  poverty.  Lazarus 
was  fed  with  crumbs  from  the  floor,  on  earth. 
But  angels  delighted  to  minister  to  him,  and 
to  carry  him  at  his  departure  to  a  home  of 
peace.  Sin  only  is  a  dishonor  to  us.  Every 
outward  sorrow  may  be  made  an  increase  of 
our  personal  respectability,  and  really  enhance 
the  reverence  which  others  are  made  to  feel 
for  us.  "Whatever  be  the  trial,  while  we  bear 
it  with  submission,  and  receive  it  from  the 
Lord  with  patience,  and  strive  to  fulfill  the 
special  duties  which  it  brings,  it  will  be  made 
the  occasion  of  giving  us  still  greater  honor. 
Never,  then,  suffer  the  spirit  of  rebellious, 
worldly  pride  to  arise  within  you,  because  you 
are  poor,  or  suffering,  or  neglected.    Probahlj 


THE   GLEANER.  25b 

Kuth  was  all  these.  Beyond  doubt  she  felt 
the  keenness  of  the  trial.  Yet  she  lays  aside 
all  pride  in  her  condition,  and  instead  of  say- 
ing, "  Mother,  will  you  go  and  glean  in  the 
fields,  you  can  do  it  better  than  I.  They  will 
reverence  you,  and  not  treat  you  unkindly  or 
with  contempt ;"  she  says,  "  Mother,  let  me 
go  and  glean.  I  am  sure  some  one  will  pity 
and  protect  me.  I  shall  find  grace  in  the  eyes 
of  some  one.  God  will  take  care  of  me.  Let 
me  go."  Ah,  how  beautiful  such  a  character 
is  !  No  wealth  can  exalt  it.  No  station  can 
adorn  it.  It  is  itself  the  ornament  in  the  sight 
of  God  of  great  price. 

But  it  is  thus  God  leads  the  sinful  soul  to 
its  great  Kinsman.  His  gracious  plan  is  to 
give  every  thing  freely,  and  to  make  man  re- 
ceive his  free  gifts  with  grateful  acknowledg- 
ment that  he  has  deserved  nothing.  He 
thus  hides  pride  from  man,  and  takes  all  the 
glory  to  himself.  The  sinner  is  made  to  feel 
his  deep  unworthiness — to  see  that  he  is  not 
only  destitute,  but  guilty.     He  has  no  right 


254  THE   RICH  KINSMAN". 

to  the  least  consideration  or  notice.  If  God 
should  pass  him  over,  and  he  should  be  per- 
mitted to  glean  no  pardoning  mercy,  he  could 
have  no  ground  of  complaint.  He  has  not 
the  remotest  claim  to  any  blessing.  He  feels 
that  where  grace  abounds  sin  has  also  abound- 
ed. And  though  he  will  not  sin  that  grace 
may  abound,  for  he  abhors  his  transgression, 
yet  he  rejoices  to  receive  salvation  as  a  gift,  a 
free  gift  to  his  lost  and  guilty  soul,  a  gift  for 
which  he  has  done  nothing,  and  can  never  do 
any  thing  in  the  least  degree  to  make  it  less 
free,  or  to  make  himself  in  any  possible  sense 
deserving  of  its  bestowal. 

Thus  the  sinner  who  would  rejoice  in  a  Sa- 
viour's love  must  feel.  But  how  long  do  we 
struggle  against  this  spirit !  How  hard  it 
seems  contentedly  to  depend  on  mere  grace 
to  the  ungodly  !  This  is  one  main  obstacle 
in  the  way  of  our  salvation.  It  is  the  last  one 
that  is  ever  removed.  "We  wish  either  to  be- 
come worthy  of  God's  mercy,  or  to  do  some- 
thing to  repay  it,  or  to  have  some  character 


THE    GLEANER.  255 

or  feeling  in  ourselves  that  shall  seem  to  be 
a  reason  for  it.  We  desire  to  say,  "  God  par- 
dons me  because  I  have  tried  to  obey  him,  or 
because  I  am  sorry  for  my  sins,  or  because  I 
now  love  his  commands — but  not  because  I 
am  so  guilty  and  completely  lost."  Yet  all 
this  mixing  up  of  any  thing  of  our  own  as  a 
reason  for  his  forgiving  love,  is  sinful  pride. 
It  may  sometimes  be  in  the  assertion  that  we 
do  possess  it,  and  sometimes  in  the  distress 
that  we  can  not  get  it.  But  it  is  all  sinful 
pride  which  can  not  submit  simply  to  believe 
God's  word,  and  to  be  saved  freely  by  his 
grace,  and  then  to  rejoice  in  him  alone.  And 
the  Holy  Spirit  will  make  us  feel  our  own  un- 
worthiness,  until  we  are  perfectly  willing  to 
glean  where  we  may  find  grace,  and  to  receive 
mercy  to  the  guilty,  treading  our  pride  for 
ever  beneath  our  feet. 

The  next  step  is  one  of  gracious  providence 
to  bring  her5  as  it  were  by  accident,  to  an  un- 
expected introduction  to  her  rich  kinsman, 
Ruth  is  wholly  ignorant  of  him  or  of  the  loca- 


256  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

tion  of  his  fields.  She  is  equally  ignorant  of 
the  exalted  connection  she  is  to  have  with 
hiin.  In  her  deep  necessity,  her  sincere  sub- 
mission, her  pure  and  unfearing  modesty,  she 
goes  out  to  seek  a  provision  for  her  mother's 
wants,  not  knowing  whither  she  went.  To 
her  the  future  of  life  is  darkness.  But  God, 
her  gracious  God,  in  whom  she  trusts,  is 
light  in  whom  is  no  darkness  at  all.  What 
an  encouragement  to  us  does  this  ignorance 
of  hers  afford !  How  abounding  may  be 
God's  provided  mercies  for  us  !  We  may  be 
in  the  very  depths  of  necessity,  in  want  even 
of  our  necessary  food,  and  yet  God  may  be 
working  out  the  most  extensive  plans  of  ben- 
efit for  us.  Kemember  that  his  gracious  plans 
are  all  completely  formed  before  any  part  of 
them  are  made  known  to  us.  And  we  are  to 
go  forward  in  the  plain  path  of  duty  in  our 
present  condition,  and  leave  all  the  future  to 
be  arranged  and  revealed  to  us  according  to 
his  will. 

Kuth  goes   out   into   the   harvest-field  of 


THE   GLEANER.  257 

Judea,  separated  among  its  various  owners  only 
by  the  landmarks,  which  could  not  be  dis- 
tinguished at  a  distance,  not  knowing  to  whose 
field  she  might  be  led.  But  God  had  dis- 
posed and  prepared  her  way  before  her.  And 
he  could  have  told  her  the  whole  of  her  future 
history  and  course.  His  gracious  providence 
leads  her  to  the  very  place  where  he  designs 
to  bless  her.  "  Her  hap  was  to  light  on  a 
part  of  the  field  belonging  unto  Boaz."  The 
story  is  related  in  its  appearance,  as  its  events 
occurred.  Her  coming  to  this  particular  por- 
tion of  the  field  seemed  to  be  wholly  acci- 
dental. But  it  was  far  enough  from  an  acci- 
dent in  reality.  It  was  God's  own  plan  for 
her,  another  part  of  which  was  now  coming  out 
to  her  view.  And  when  at  last  she  finds  the 
gracious  end  to  which  the  whole  is  brought, 
she  could  look  back  upon  this,  and  say,  "  Now 
I  know  why  I  was  made  so  poor,  and  led  to 
Boaz's  field  to  glean." 

How  often  is  the  gracious  providence  of 
God  thus  manifested  in  bringing  the  poor  and 


258  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

perishing  soul  under  the  ministry  of  the  Word. 
The  sinner  may  wander  into  the  field  of 
grace,  he  knows  not  why,  with  no  idea  of  the 
Lord's  provision  of  peace  and  security  which 
are  prepared  for  him.  The  great  end  to 
which  all  the  arrangements  of  this  gracious 
providence  are  directed  is  the  saving  of  the 
soul.  And  when  we  really  find  this  salvation, 
and  are  made  parcakers  of  a  Saviour's  love, 
we  may  look  back  upon  every  event  of  the 
whole  course  through  which  we  have  been  led 
as  expressly  arranged  for  the  accomplishment 
of  this  end.  This  was  the  point  to  which  every 
thing  else  was  tending,  and  to  which  every 
other  fact  was  subordinate.  To  trace  this 
merciful  process  in  our  past  lives  is  one  of  our 
highest  privileges.  It  shows  us  God's  whole 
design  concerning  us.  We  rejoice  to  know 
that  he  leaves  no  unfinished  work,  and  that 
the  good  work  he  has  begun  for  us,  he  will 
carry  on  unto  the  "day  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  It 
encourages  our  hope.  It  quickens  our  energy. 
It  excites  our  determination.    It  comforts  our 


THE   GLEANER.  259 

depressions.  It  makes  us  happy  even  in  our 
sorrows.  How  often  have  I  traced  this  gra- 
cious providence  of  God  in  my  own  case  ! 
How  often  in  the  case  of  others  ! 

A  young  Englishman  came  as  an  agent 
of  a  Sheffield  manufacturer  to  this  country, 
He  was  engaged  in  his  business  in  Philadel- 
phia for  a  few  months.  His  "hap  was  to 
light"  on  a  boarding-house  opposite  my 
church.  Convenience  brought  him  there  to 
our  worship.  But  there  the  gracious  Lord 
showed  him  his  need,  revealed  to  him  his 
pardoning  mercy,  and  made  him  know  that 
he  was  a  child  of  God.  And  because  he  was 
a  son,  God  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son 
into  his  heart.  I  never  knew  him.  In  a 
few  months  he  returned  to  England.  Two 
years  after  I  received,  through  the  custom- 
house, a  package  containing  a  little  legacy 
from  him,  with  a  letter  from  his  sister.  He 
had  died  of  a  consumption  at  home,  and 
sent  his  dying  message  of  love  and  gratitude 
to  me,  with  this  memento  of  his  affection, 


260  THE    KICH   KINSMAN. 

and  an  account  of  his  happy  conversion  under 
the  Gospel  in  that  church. 

Two  young  men  who  had  wasted  their  lives 
in  profligacy  and  sin,  and  in  their  despairing 
madness  had  resolved  to  go  out  in  a  last 
debauch,  and  then  become  suicides  together, 
passed  our  church  on  Wednesday  evening, 
as  our  congregation  were  gathering  there. 
They,  unaccountably  to  themselves,  were  led 
to  go  in  and  seat  themselves  by  the  door. 
God  sent  an  arrow  of  his  truth  to  each  of 
their  hearts.  They  came  out  together  when 
the  service  closed,  each  ignorant  of  the  feel- 
ings of  the  other,  and  walked  away  for  a 
time  in  silence.  They  soon  announced  to 
each  other,  in  astonishment,  their  mutual 
feelings  and  new  purpose  of  life.  They 
walked  the  streets  in  conversation  until 
morning.  God  had  called  them  both  to  a 
knowledge  of  his  love  to  them.  "  Their  hap 
was  to  light"  in  the  Saviour's  field.  They 
lived  to  witness  a  good  profession.  One  was 
called  to  glory  in  his  early  manhood.     The 


THE    GLEANER, 


261 


other  still  lives  to  preach  the  Gospel  which 
he  once  destroyed.  In  all  this  you  will  see 
any  thing  but  accident. 

Many  such  illustrations  have  I  seen.     How 
many  daughters  have  I  known,  brought  for 
education,  where  they  attended  our  ministry, 
with  no  thought  of  the  Lord's  purpose  con- 
cerning them,  whose  "hap"  it  was  to  glean 
salvation  in  the  field  of  a  gracious  Kinsman 
of  whom  they  had  no  knowledge.     Singular 
are    some    such    illustrations.      A   gay  and 
fashionable    young  woman    was    under    my 
ministry  for  a  long  time,  with  no  apparent 
concern.     One  Thursday  evening  I  was  un- 
expectedly called  upon  to  supply  the  pulpit 
of  a  clergyman  who  was  ill,  in  another  part 
of  the  city.     The  "hap"  of  this  young  lady 
was  to  pass   that   church  just   as  the  bell 
was  ringing  for  worship.     She  did  not  know 
even  what  house  of  worship  it  was.     But 
seeing  the  people  going  in,  though  she  had 
never  been  to   an   evening    service    in    the 
week     before    she    joined    them.      To    her 


262  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

astonishment,  her  own  minister  arose  to 
officiate.  God  sent  the  word  to  her  heart, 
and  she  went  home  conscious  of  her  guilt 
and  danger  in  her  unpardoned  sin.  On  the 
next  morning,  before  her  own  family  had 
risen,  she  sought  me  for  counsel  and  in- 
struction, and  gave  me  the  history  of  the 
evening's  work,  and  of  her  sleepless,  sorrow- 
ing night.  God  now  sent  his  own  Spirit 
to  teach  her  the  things  which  were  freely 
given  to  her  of  God.  She  embraced  the 
Gospel.  She  walked  in  a  new  life.  She 
honored  the  Saviour  in  her  family.  She 
triumphed  in  the  hopes  of  the  Gospel,  in 
a  peaceful  departure,  after  several  years  of 
fidelity  to  Christ,  the  memory  of  which  was 
a  precious  legacy  to  those  from  whom  she 
was  taken.  How  wonderful  appear  such 
facts !  But  every  Christian  may  find  in 
his  own  life  a  providence  just  as  distinct, 
if  not  so  striking.  Why  these  things  are 
so  arranged  we  can  give  no  account,  but 
that  which  the  Saviour  gives: — "Even  so, 


THE   GLEANER.  263 

Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight/' 
The  appearance  is,  that  our  lighting  on  the 
field  of  Boaz  is  a  "hap."  But  the  result 
shows  that  this  was  God's  own  way  to  save 
and  feed  a  child  whom  he  had  chosen  for 
himself  before  the  world  began.  And  the 
issue  is,  that  we  give  him  all  the  glory  who 
hath  loved  us,  and  called  us  with  an  holy 
calling,  and  made  us  everlasting  partakers 
of  a  Saviour's  triumph  through  the  riches 
of  his  own  grace. 

The  next  step  in  Kuth's  history  is  the 
peculiar  crisis  at  which  she  came  into  the 
field.  It  was  at  the  time  of  a  gracious  visit 
from  the  master  of  the  reapers,  and  the  owner 
of  the  land.  "  Behold,  Boaz  came  from 
Bethlehem,  and  said  unto  the  reapers,  The 
Lord  be  with  you.  And  they  answered  him, 
The  Lord  bless  thee."  I  need  not  stop  to  re- 
mark upon  the  value  of  this  illustration  of 
domestic  and  social  relations.  But  how  much 
better  sounds  the  encouraging  voice  of  re- 
sponsive religion,  the  mutual  recognition  of 


264  THE    KICH    KINSMAN. 

the  presence  of  God  by  master  and  servants, 
than  the  language  of  censure  and  recrimina- 
tion !  How  happily  might  we  transfer  th« 
example  of  Boaz  to  the  workshop  of  our 
artisans,  the  counting-house  of  our  merchants, 
and  the  families  of  our  housekeepers — and 
compel  men  who  see  them,  to  say,  "  Surely 
the  fear  of  God  is  in  this  place  !"  Happy  is 
the  house  or  scene  of  business  and  occupa- 
tion where  both  the  master  and  the  servants 
are  exercising  themselves  to  maintain  a  con- 
science void  of  offence  toward  God  and 
toward  men ;  with  good  will  .doing  service 
as  unto  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men.  Kuth 
could  not  have  had  a  more  encouraging  exhi- 
bition of  her  kinsman  than  this.  She  sees 
him  first  in  the  expression  of  his  kindness  to 
others.  His  manner  and  feeling  are  express- 
ive of  the  highest  dignity  and  love.  She  can 
confide  in  him  from  the  very  start.  She  has 
no  fears  now  that  she  may  not  "  find  grace 
in  his  sight."  And  as  the  sound  of  his  cheer- 
ful salutation  catches  her  ear,  and  she  looks 


THE    GLEANEK.  265 

up  to  see  the  dignified  form  of  the  stranger 
who  approaches  with  so  much  benevolence, 
and  such  consideration  for  the  laborers  who 
are  gathering  his  harvest,  she  takes  the  ut- 
most encouragement  for  herself,  and  can 
glean  with  a  freedom  of  spirit  and  thankful- 
ness of  confidence,  that  she  had  not  before 
Ah,  who  can  tell  how  much  may  be  the  in- 
fluence of  words  and  acts  of  kindness  and 
love  !  They  are  not  only  "  twice  blessed." 
They  may  give  life  and  hope  to  many  who 
have  had  no  connection  with  them  but  that 
of  an  accidental  witness.  They  are  an  ex- 
penditure which  can  never  be  lost  ;  a  cheap 
outlay  for  an  investment  of  incomparable 
value.  Hutu's  whole  life  would  probably 
carry  the  influence  of  this  first  opening  ad- 
dress of  Boaz  to  his  servants.  And  in  all  her 
subsequent  veneration  for  him,  and  delight  in 
him,  she  could  never  forget  the  impression 
which  his  first  appearance  made  upon  her 
mind. 

How  applicable  to  our  purpose  is  this  il]us- 
12 


266  THE    KICH   KINSMAN. 

tration  !  The  first  sight  of  a  Saviour  is  at- 
tractive and  lovely  to  the  seeking,  sinful  soul. 
The  sinner  comes  into  the  midst  of  his  flock, 
and  is  struck  with  the  precious  blessings 
which  they  enjoy.  The  shepherd  stands  in 
their  midst.  Jesus  is  there,  to  awaken,  in- 
struct, sanctify,  and  feed  his  people.  The 
hearts  of  all  are  evidently  refreshed  by  him. 
He  blesses  them,  in  the  ministry  of  his  word, 
by  the  teaching  of  his  Spirit.  They  praise 
him  with  grateful  homage  in  return.  The 
whole  scene  is  awakening  and  attractive. 
The  sinner's  heart  is  moved  and  drawn. 

"  'Tis  like  a  little  heaven  below ; 

I  have  been  there,  and  still  would  go." 

The  Apostle  says,  "  Falling  down  on  his  face, 
he  will  worship  God,  and  report  that  God  is 
in  you,  of  a  truth."  The  Prophet  says,  they 
shall  say,  "  We  will  go  with  you,  for  we  have 
heard  that  God  is  with  you."  Thus  often  the 
most  abiding  impressions  of  the  value  of  re- 
ligion, of  the  excellence  of  a  Saviour's  worth, 


TU2    dLEANER.  261 

and  the  "happiness  of  those  who  faithfully 
wait  upon  him,  arc  received.  Men  are  drawn 
to  Christ,  and  made  happy  m.  trusting  him, 
by  the  enjoyment  which  his  people  evidently 
derive  from  his  service.  And  nothing  is  more 
important  than  that  Christians  should  ever 
wear  an  aspect  and  maintain  an  influence 
which  will  adorn  the  doctrine  they  profess. 
"I  see,"  said  Kichard  Cecil,  contemplating 
his  own  sinful,  wasted  life,  in  his  youth, 
"I  see  two  unquestionable  facts.  First, 
my  mother  is  greatly  afflicted  in  circum- 
stances, body,  and  mind  ;  and  yet  I  see  that 
she  cheerfully  bears  up  under  it,  by  the  sup- 
port which  she  derives  from  constantly  re- 
tiring to  her  closet  and  reading  her  Bible. 
Second,  that  she  has  a  secret  spring  of  com- 
fort of  which  I  know  nothing ;  while  I,  who 
seek  pleasure  by  every  means,  seldom  or  never 
find  it.  If,  however,  there  is  any  such  secret 
in  religion  why  may  I  not  attain  it  as  well  as 
my  mother  ?  I  will  immediately  seek  it  from 
God.     He  rose  from  his  bed  instantly,  and 


268  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

began  to  pray."  His  experience  and  reason- 
ing have  been  that  of  thousands.  And  when 
the  Saviour  comes  in  thus  to  bless  his  people, 
"  sweetly  the  sacred  odors  spread."  Sinners 
are  drawn  and  encouraged  to  come  to  one  so 
gracious  and  so  compassionate.  The  reapers 
of  his  harvest  are  animated  and  strengthened 
by  his  presence,  and  the  word  of  his  grace 
goes  out  with  special  power  to  the  souls  of 
those  who  hear. 


1  Adoring  saints  around  him  stand, 

And  thrones  and  powers  before  hirn  fall; 

The  God  shines  gracious  through  the  man, 
And  sheds  sweet  glories  on  theru  all." 


XII. 


Then  said  Boaz  unto  his  servant  that  was  set  over  the  reapers,  "Whose 
damsel  is  this?  And  the  servant  that  was  set  over  the  reapers 
answered  and  said,  It  is  the  Moabitish  damsel  that  came  back  with 
Naomi  out  of  the  country  of  Moab :  and  she  said,  I  pray  you  let  me 
glean  and  gather  after  the  reapers  among  the  sheaves :  So  she  came, 
and  hath  continued  even  from  the  morning  until  now,  that  she 
tarried  a  little  in  the  house.  Then  said  Boaz  unto  Euth,  Hearest 
thou  not,  my  daughter?  Go  not  to  glean  in  another  field,  neither 
go  from  hence,  but  abide  here  fast  by  my  maidens:  let  thine  eyes 
be  on  the  field  that  they  do  reap,  and  go  thou  after  them :  have  I 
not  charged  the  young  men  that  they  shall  not  touch  thee?  And 
when  thou  art  athirst,  go  unto  the  vessels,  and  drink  of  that  which 
the  young  men  have  drawn.  Then  she  fell  on  her  face  and  bowed 
herself  to  the  ground,  and  said  unto  him,  Why  have  I  found  grace 
in  thine  eyes,  that  thou  shouldst  take  knowledge  of  me,  seeing  that 
I  am  a  stranger  ?— Eimr,  ii.  5-10. 


"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way  his 
wonders  to  perform."  He  has  wise  and 
sufficient  reasons  for.  every  step.  He  makes 
us  at  last  to    see   the  wisdom  which    has 


270  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

governed  his  whole  course.  But  while  his 
plans  are  coming  out  to  our  view,  it  is  only 
a  little  part  that  is  to  be  seen  at  a  time. 
We  must  wait  to  the  end  to  know  his  whole 
design.  We  can  imagine  many  ways  in 
which  Boaz  and  Kuth  might  have  been  made 
acquainted  with  each  other.  But  surely 
none  which  would  have  been  better  adapted 
to  awaken  the  deepest  and  tenderest  mutual 
interest  in  the  mind  of  each.  She  appears 
in  all  the  loveliness  of  virtuous  modesty, 
humbly  toiling  for  a  mother's  support  and 
comfort,  though  unused  to  labor.  How 
could  he  avoid  the  most  affectionate  con- 
sideration and  respect  for  her  ?  The  best 
daughter  will  habitually  make  the  best  wife. 
He  appears  before  her  clothed  with  dignity 
and  benevolence.  The  law  of  kindness  is  on 
his  tongue.  His  dependents  delight  to  wel- 
come his  approach.  The  whole  appearance 
of  this  dignified  and  tender-hearted  stranger 
would  command  her  reverence  and  confidence. 
His  aspect  and  voice  took  from  her  all  fear  in 


THE   WELCOME   RECEPTION.  271 

the  prosecution  of  her  work,  and  his  words 
of  kindness  made  her  at  once  happy  and 
at  home,  though  poor  and  a  stranger  in  his 
field.  We  are  now  to  witness  their  first 
mutual  introduction,  and  the  Welcome  Re- 
ception which  he  gives  to  her. 

First  we  have  the  rich  kinsman's  notice 
of  her,  addressed  to  his  head  servant. 
"Whose  damsel  is  this?"  The  field  of 
Boaz  is  a  well-ordered  field,  in  which  is 
due  subordination  and  respect,  and  no  vio- 
lence or  confusion.  There  was  one  set  over 
the  reapers  who  was  held  responsible  for  their 
conduct,  and  for  the  whole  care  of  the  field 
committed  to  him.  And  when  the  master 
comes  to  visit  his  land  he  calls  this  one 
to  a  special  account.  But  extensive  as  are 
the  concerns  of  Boaz,  the  poor  stranger  whom 
the  Lord  hath  led  there  is  not  forgotten. 
Happy  indeed  is  such  prosperity  as  this  ! 
The  heart  is  not  lifted  up,  the  spirit  is  not 
made  selfish  and  arrogant.  There  is  a  tender 
care  for   the  poor  maintained    amidst    the 


272  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

enjoyments  and  luxuries  of  wealth.  It  would 
be  difficult  to  tell  which  is  the  more  beautiful 
aspect  of  human  character,  the  open  and 
generous  liberality  of  the  rich,  or  the  patient 
and  uncomplaining  submission  of  the  poor ; 
the  "largeness  of  heart,  like  the  sea-shore/' 
of  Solomon,  or  the  quiet  and  contended  en- 
durance of  the  widow  of  Sarepta.  Both  are 
here  before  us.  One  rich  in  acts  of  love,  and 
the  other  in  the  patience  of  hope  and  trial. 
And  when  Boaz  came  to  visit  his  plenteous 
fields,  he  saw  nothing  there  so  truly  beautiful 
as  the  character  and  conduct  of  Kuth.  His 
servant,  had  he  known  the  whole  will  of  God, 
might  have  given  a  far  higher  description  of 
her  than  the  mere  account  of  her  earthly  or- 
igin, her  poverty,  and  her  toil. 

Thus  the  Saviour  comes  to  visit  his  earthly 
field,  and  calls  the  servants  whom  he  has 
set  over  it  to  account  for  their  charge.  He 
walks  amidst  the  candlesticks,  and  holds  the 
stars  in  his  right  hand.  His  ministers  watch 
for  souls  as  they  who  must  give  an  account. 


THE    WELCOME   RECEPTION.         273 

Not  the  poorest  stranger  is  unnoticed  or  for- 
gotten by  him.  It  is  a  blessed  thought. 
The  Saviour  sees.  The  poor,  the  lonely,  the 
neglected,  in  all  their  needs  and  sorrows,  are 
marked  by  his  eye.  The  poor  widow's  two 
mites  were  not  forgotten.  The  Syro-Phceni- 
cian  was  not  sent  away.  Bartimeus  was  not 
despised.  Lazarus  was  not  rejected.  Jesus 
may  be  considered  as  asking  his  ministers 
continually,  of  one  and  another  in  their  flock, 
Who  is  that  ?  And  they  should  be  able 
to  reply.  He  will  call  them  at  last  to* an 
account  for  all,  and  for  every  soul  intrusted 
to  them  they  must  answer.  Happy,  could 
they  all  say, 

"  Hast  thou  a  lamb  in  all  thy  flock 
My  soul  disdains  to  feed? 
Hast  thou  a  foe  before  whose  face 
I  fear  thy  cause  to  plead?" 

Sad  is  the  neglected  church,  where  the  pastor 
is  not  prepared  for  a  question  like  this,  in  re- 
gard to  all  the  members  of  his  flock.  He 
should  be  able  to  adopt  the  very  words  of  the 
12* 


274.  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

Great  Shepherd,  "  I  know  my  sheep,  and  am 
known  of  mine.  They  know  my  voice  ;  and 
they  follow  me."  He  should  be  able  to  take 
up  to  all,  the  exhortation  of  the  Apostle, 
"Be  ye  followers  of  me,  even  as  I  am  of 
Christ."  "What  can  compensate  him  for  the 
shame  of  his  ignorance  and  neglect,  if  the 
Saviour  shall  ask  in  vain,  "  With  whom  hast 
thou  left  those  few  sheep  in  the  wilderness ?" 
Indulgences,  enjoyments,  honors,  all  will  fade 
in  that  great  day.  What  a  dying  reflection 
was  that  of  the  eminent  Archbishop  Williams 
in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.  :  "I  have  passed 
through  many  places  of  honor  and  trust,  both 
in  Church  and  State,  more  than  any  of  my 
order  in  England,  this  seventy  years  before. 
But  were  I  assured  that  by  my  preaching  I 
had  converted  but  one  soul  unto  God,  I 
should  take  therein  more  spiritual  joy  and 
comfort,  than  in  all  the  honors  and  offices 
which  have  been  bestowed  upon  me." 

This  question  of  Boaz  brings  us  to  the  re- 
ply which  the  servant  makes.     He  is  not  in- 


THE    WELCOME    RECEPTION.         275 

quired  of  in  vain.  He  lias  made  himself  ac- 
quainted with  the  whole  history  of  Kuth.  And 
in  giving  his  account,  he  uses  great  skill  and 
kindness,  in  setting  forth  the  advantageous 
circumstances  of  her  case.  He  tells  of  her 
origin  :  She  was  a  daughter  of  Moab,  a 
stranger,  "  the  Moabitish  damsel."  He  tells 
of  her  return,  her  emigration  from  Moab  to 
Israel :  "  She  came  back  with  Naomi,  out  of 
the  country  of  Moab."  He  tells  of  her  need  : 
her  poverty  compelled  her  to  beg  permission 
to  glean  ;  of  her  gentle  humility  :  "  She  said, 
I  pray  you,  let  me  glean  and  gather  after 
the  reapers  among  the  sheaves  ;"  of  her  per- 
severance:  •"  She  hath  continued  from  the 
morning  even  until  now."  His  account  is 
marked  by  the  evidence  of  the  utmost  kind- 
ness and  compassion.  He  does  not  feel  the 
poor  and  dependent  to  be  in  his  way.  Nor 
does  her  lonely  poverty  tempt  him  to  treat 
her  with  negligence  or  disrespect. 

When  we  think  of  this,  as  an  illustration 
of  the  account  we  may  give  of  some  daugli- 


276  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

ters  of  the  Lord  Almighty  who  are  committed 
to  our  charge,  how  appropriate  seems  the 
whole  story.  To  create  and  maintain  a  fa- 
miliar and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the 
members  of  the  flock  committed  to  him,  is  a 
most  important  instrument  of  usefulness  to  a 
faithful  pastor.  They  should  be  made  will- 
ing to  seek  his  counsel.  Their  experience 
should  prove  him  to  be  to  them  a  confiden- 
tial, faithful  friend.  He  should  be  acquaint- 
ed with  their  spiritual  state,  their  minds, 
their  peculiar  feelings  and  circumstances. 
He  should  know  their  religious  experience ; 
and  encourage,  at  whatever  cost  of  labor  and 
occupation  of  his  time,  their  free  communica- 
tion of  their  doubts,  and  trials,  and  cares. 
The  whole  influence  and  value  of  his  ministry 
will  be  greatly  dependent  on  this  knowledge 
of  his  people.  The  preacher's  work  can  only 
be  really  effective,  and  an  instrument  of  bless- 
ing, as  it  rightly  divides  the  word  of  truth,  giv- 
ing to  each  their  portion  of  meat  in  due  season. 
The  work  of  public  preaching  is  far  the  least 


THE   WELCOME   RECEPTION.  277 

laborious  and  trying  part  of  the  ministration 
of  the  Gospel.  And  it  is  by  no  means  the 
most  important  or  the  most  useful  part,  when 
separated  from  the  faithful  watchfulness  and 
oversight  of  the  sound  and  sympathiz4ng 
pastor. 

But  how  happy  is  such  an  account  of  the 
Saviour's  field  as  the  head  reaper  here  gives  ! 
Suppose  I  could  say  of  all  the  youthful  females 
in  the  field  around  me,  as  each  one  severally 
appeared  for  my  account,  "  This  also  teas  a 
daughter  of  Moab,  but  she  has  come  back." 
How  applicable  to  them  would  become  Paul's 
account  of  the  Corinthian  Christians,  "  Such 
were  you,  but  ye  have  been  washed,  ye  have 
been  justified,  ye  have  been  sanctified,  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the  Spirit  of 
our  God."  She  has  come  back.  Under  a 
deep  sense  of  her  sinfulness,  and  conscious  of 
her  empty,  wasted  life,  she  has  come  with 
self-renouncing  humility,  to  glean  in  the  Sa- 
viour's field.  With  persevering  devotion  she 
has  continued  fronr  the  morning  even  until 


278  THE   EICH   KINSMAN. 

now.  She  was  a  vain,  worldly,  thoughtless 
child  of  earth.  But  she  has  been  converted — 
made  a  new  creature — old  things  have  passed 
away — all  things  have  become  new.  Now 
she  is  in  the  world,  but  she  is  not  of  the 
world  ;  and  the  residue  of  her  life  she  means 
to  spend,  though  in  the  flesh,  yet  according 
to  the  will  of  God.  Ah,  what  a  happy  ac- 
count would  this  be  !  I  would  that  I  could 
imagine  it  a  true  account.  But  alas  !  our 
daughters  are  not  all  Euths.  Frivolity  and 
sin,  the  mirth  and  the  sensual  giddiness  of 
Moab,  hold  too  many  of  them  in  bondage 
still.  When  will  they  awake  to  see  the  folly 
of  their  earthly  mind,  to  realize  the  wretched 
emptiness  of  a  life  of  pleasure,  dead  while 
they  live,  and  to  rejoice  in  the  permission  to 
glean  in  the  fields  of  grace  and  salvation, 
which  their  gracious  but  unknown  Kinsman 
has  spread  before  them  ?  Yet  let  me  rejoice 
over  many,  very  many,  whom  the  Lord  has 
given  me,  of  whom  this  history  of  Kuth  would 
be  a  perfectly  true  account.     God  has  permit- 


THE   WELCOME   RECEPTION.         279 

ted  me  to  be  the  instrument  of  leading  many 
such  from  Moab  to  Bethlehem.  They  delight 
to  gather  now  in  fields  of  which  they  had  be- 
fore no  knowledge.  They  love  the  assemblies 
for  the  Saviour's  worship.  They  value  every 
opportunity  of  instruction  in  the  Saviour's 
truth.  They  love  to  join  the  music  of  his 
praise.  They  rejoice  in  offering  him  the  con- 
stant incense  of  their  secret  prayer.  They 
gather  happiness  from  the  teaching  of  his 
word.  They  would  rather  be  door-keepers  in 
his  house,  than  abide  in  the  tents  of  ungodli- 
ness. They  bear  his  cross  with  pleasure, 
They  endure  for  him  the  voice  of  reproach, 
and  the  strife  of  tongues,  with  unshrinking 
fidelity.  They  teach  the  ignorant.  They 
minister  to  the  poor.  They  console  the  sor- 
rowing. They  are  the  joy  and  strength  of 
loving  parents.  They  bless  their  households. 
They  adorn  the  doctrine  they  profess.  Their 
example  honors  the  Saviour,  encourages  the 
church,  and  wins  even  the  admiration  of  the 
worldly.    Is  there  any  thing  on  earth  so  beau- 


280  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

tiful  as  this  consistent,  living  course  of  youth- 
ful piety  ?  Is  there  an  earthly  treasure  to  a 
father's  heart  to  be  compared  to  a  faithful, 
guileless,  Christian  daughter  ? 

"And  if  there  be  a  human  tear, 
From  passion's  dross  refined  and  clear, 
A  tear  so  limpid  and  so  meek, 
It  would  not  stain  an  angel's  cheek, 
'Tis  that  which  pious  fathers  shed 
Upon  a  duteous  daughter's  head." 

Let  me  encourage  such  to  press  onward 
to  the  end.  The  fools  of  the  world  may 
scoff.  But  Jesus  approves.  The  Spirit 
guides.  Angels  protect  and  guard.  "Who 
is  he  that  will  harm  you,  if  ye  be  followers 
of  that  which  is  good  ?"  Glean  on  from 
morning  until  evening  in  the  Saviour's 
harvest.  When  you  are  wearied,  repose, 
like  Kuth,  a  little  in  the  field.  But  leave  it 
not.  The  Lord  whom  your  souls  love  will 
be  your  comforter  and  friend — the  strength 
of  your  heart,  and  your  eternal  portion. 
Every  day  will  add  to  your  happiness  in  his 
service.     And  as  his  smiles  attend  you,  and 


THE   WELCOME   RECEPTION.         281 

his  approving  blessing  follows  you,  and  his 
gracious  care  prospers  you,  and  leads  you  on 
through  grace  to  glory,  your  path  will  be 
one  of  increasing  happiness  to  the  end. 

"  High  heaven,  that  heard  your  solemn  vow, 
That  vow  renewed,  shall  daily  hear, 
Till  in  life's  latest  hour  you  how, 
And  "bless  in  death  a  bond  so  dear." 

The  answer  of  the  servant  of  Boaz  leads 
us  to  Boaz's  own  address  to  the  lonely 
stranger.  "  Hearest  thou  not,  my  daughter  ? 
Go  not  to  glean  in  another  field ;  neither 
go  from  hence,  but  abide  here  fast  by  my 
maidens  :  let  thine  eyes  be  on  the  field  that 
they  do  reap,  and  go  thou  after  them :  have 
I  not  charged  the  young  men  that  they  shall 
not  touch  thee  ?  And  when  thou  art  athirst, 
go  unto  the  vessels,  and  drink  of  that  which 
the  young  men  have  drawn."  How  kindly 
and  freely  he  welcomes  her  to  his  ample 
provisions  !  And  lest  she  should  not  under- 
stand the  openness  of  his  invitation,  he  calls 
her  attention  particularly  to    this    fact    of 


282  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

her  entire  welcome  to  every  provision  there. 
How  lie  catechizes  her  in  his  offers  of  grace  ! 
"Hearest  thou  not,  my  daughter?"  Her 
modesty  had  retired  from  the  praises  of  the 
servant,  and  her  gentle,  humbled  spirit  had 
hidden  itself  from  such  an  applauding  in- 
troduction. And  her  rich  kinsman  kindly 
arrests  her  attention  to  the  fact  which  he 
intended  to  impress,  that  she  was  to  enjoy 
the  provision  for  her  wants  with  perfect 
freedom.  The  Saviour's  grace  is  thus  open 
and  free.  Whosoever  will,  may  take  of  the 
water  of  life  freely.  Complete  forgiveness, 
everlasting  redemption,  are  offered  without 
money  and  without  price,  to  the  acceptance 
of  the  sinner  who  will  receive  them.  But 
man  must  be  constantly  assured  of  the  free- 
ness  of  the  Saviour's  love,  and  urged  to 
accept  and  embrace  it.  The  Lord  calls  your 
attention  especially  to  this.  "  Hearest  thou 
not  ?"  "  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come 
unto  me  and  drink."  "  Whosoever  cometh, 
shall  in  no  wise  be  cast  out."     "  Believe,  and 


THE   WELCOME   RECEPTION".  283 

thou  shalt  be  saved."  Here  are  abundant 
supplies  of  all  that  you  can  desire  or  ask ; 
and  all  given  without  recompense,  or  hope 
of  return  from  you. 

He  urges  her  to  remain  in  the  field  to 
which  the  gracious  providence  of  God  had 
sent  her.  "Go  not  to  glean  in  another 
field/'  He  would  have  the  whole  privilege 
and  comfort  of  supplying  all  her  wants.  He 
has  enough  and  to  spare,  and  she  need  fear 
no  lack  of  provision  while  she  remains  with 
him.  He  wishes  not  to  divide  with  any  the 
blessing  of  sustaining  one  so  worthy  of  his 
care.  Our  gracious  Kinsman  feels  equally 
jealous  of  any  partnership  or  competition 
in  his  work  of  grace  for  you.  He  lets  you 
know  that  if  you  attempt  to  be  saved  in  any 
other  way,  Christ  shall  profit  you  nothing. 
There  is  salvation  in  none  other.  It  is  all 
of  grace,  and  the  works  of  righteousness 
which  you  can  clo  effect  nothing  toward  your 
justification  in  him.  Go  not  then  to  glean 
in   another  field.     Your  salvation  is  all  by 


284  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

faith  in  the  perfect  obedience  and  all-suf- 
ficient death  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for 
you.  Be  satisfied  with  that.  Live  upon 
that.  To  whom  else  can  you  go  ?  He  only 
has  the  words  of  eternal  life.  The  field 
of  human  works  and  merit  is  there  before 
you.  But  what  can  you  get  from  that  but 
condemnation  and  the  wages  of  sin  ?  The 
field  of  mere  formalism  and  superstition  is 
there.  But  it  can  yield  nothing  for  you 
save  despair  and  death.  The  field  of  earthly 
giddiness  and  indulgence  is  there.  But  this 
is  polluted  Moab  again  ;  why  will  you  run 
back  to  that  ?  The  field  of  indifference  and 
mere  unbelief  is  there.  But  its  fruits  will 
be  gall  and  wormwood  at  the  last,  when 
eternity  overwhelms  you,  and  you  have  no 
hope.  There  is  no  field  in  which  you  can 
gather  happiness,  and  rest,  and  abiding  peace, 
but  the  field  of  Christ.  In  that  every  pro- 
vision is  made  for  your  enjoyment  for  time  and 
for  eternity.  And  you  will  glean  nothing  there 
which  will  not  promote  your  welfare  for  both, 


THE    WELCOME    RECEPTION.        285 

Well  may  we  apply  to  you  Boaz's  address, 
"  Go  not  from  hence.  Abide  here  fast  by  my 
maidens.  Let  thine  eyes  be  on  the  field  that 
they  do  reap,  and  go  thou  after  them."  In 
similar  words,  the  gracious  bridegroom  of  the 
Church  says,  "  Go  thy  way  forth  by  the  foot- 
steps of  the  flock,  and  feed  thy  kids  beside  the 
shepherd's  tents."  Nothing  is  more  import- 
ant for  your  religious  character,  than  appro- 
priate religious  society.  The  examples  and 
influence  of  faithful  people  of  God  are  a 
precious  help  to  you  in  your  Christian  course. 
You  read  the  biographies  of  those  who  have 
finished  their  course,  and  kept  the  faith 
and  have  entered  into  their  rest.  You  have 
with  you,  and  around  you,  many  who  are 
striving  to  walk  in  the  strait  and  narrow 
way  which  leadeth  unto  life.  Their  light 
shines  before  you.  Their  daily  walk  en- 
courages and  animates  you.  Keep  fast  by 
them.  You  have  a  faithful  and  simple  min- 
istry of  the  Gospel.  You  have  a  pure  and 
blessed  form  of  public  worship.     Every  benefit 


286  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

and  advantage  for  you  is  there.  You  have 
the  simple  and  appropriate  ordinances  of  the 
Lord's  house.  Jesus  has  promised,  to  meet 
you  there.  It  will  be  good  for  you  to  be 
found  in  no  other  field.  Be  not  tempted  to 
the  fields  of  error,  or  of  mirth,  or  of  worldly 
forgetfulness  of  God.  Be  the  companion  al- 
ways of  those  who  fear  God,  and  turn  away 
your  feet  from  the  paths  of  evil  men.  The 
landmarks  among  these  various  fields,  which 
separate  them  from  the  field  which  the  Lord 
hath  blessed,  may  not  be  always  perfectly  dis- 
tinct and  apparent  to  you.  Try  no  experi- 
ment how  far  you  may  go  toward  these 
strange  fields  and  return  in  safety.  Dwell  in 
the  heart  of  the  land,  and  make  the  fact  al- 
ways sure,  that  you  are  with  the  Lord  and 
his  chosen  flock. 

Here  you  have  every  promise  of  protection 
and  supply.  Your  gracious  Kinsman  has 
charged  his  ministers  to  help  and  guide  you, 
not  to  hurt  or  hinder  you.  He  has  bid  them 
draw  for  you  water  from  the  wells  of  salva 


THE    WELCOME    RECEPTION.        287 

tion.  And  yours  is  the  privilege  of  their  at- 
tainments and  their  labors.  Vain,  indeed, 
are  all  these  without  a  Saviour's  blessing. 
But  Jesus  will  not  leave  you  comfortless.  He 
will  come  to  you.  His  angels  are  guardian 
keepers,  and  ministering  spirits  for  you.  By 
them  he  defends  you  night  and  day.  They 
take  charge  of  the  feeble  and  desolate  of  the 
flock.  They  bear  you  in  their  hands,  lest  you 
hurt  your  foot  against  a  stone.  Surely  no 
offer  can  be  made  to  you,  like  the  privilege  of 
gleaning  in  Jesus'  fields  of  truth  and  grace. 
And  when  he  stands  before  you  like  Boaz, 
with  the  words  of  such  gracious  welcome, 
your  privilege  is  great  indeed.  0,  listen  to 
his  earnest  exhortation  and  appeal,  and  let 
your  glad  heart  respond  to  him.  Yes,  Lord. 
Here  will  I  dwell,  and  this  shall  be  my  rest 
for  ever,  for  it  is  the  very  joy  of  my  heart. 

"  Thou  in  whose  presence  my  soul  takes  delight ; 
On  whom  in  affliction  I  call; 
My  comfort  by  day,  and  my  song  in  the  night, 
My  hope,  my  salvation,  my  all. 


288  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

"0  why  should  I  wander  an  alien  from  thee? 
Or  cry  in  the  desert  for  bread? 
Thy  foes  will  rejoice  when  my  sorrows  they  see, 
And  smile  at  the  tears  I  have  shed." 

Kuth's  humble  and  grateful  answer  to  her 
unknown  Kinsman  may  conclude  our  present 
thoughts.  "  She  fell  on  her  face,  and  bowed 
herself  to  the  ground,  and  said  unto  him; 
Why  have  I  found  grace  in  thine  eyes,  that 
thou  shouldst  take  knowledge  of  me,  seeing  I 
am  a  stranger  ?" 

"What  deep  humility  !  What  conciousness 
of  need  !  What  confession  of  her  own  unwor- 
thiness  !  What  affectionate  gratitude  for  the 
kindness  he  has  disjDlayed  !  It  is  just  so  that 
the  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  humbles  the 
pardoned  sinner  to  the  dust.  He  feels  him- 
self the  object  of  such  grace  and  boundless 
mercy  that  his  own  unworthiness  and  guilt 
are  more  apparent  to  him  than  ever  before. 
Thus  the  Lord  himself  describes  his  mind, 
"  That  thou  mayest  be  confounded,  and  never 
open  thy  mouth  any  more,  because  of  thy 
shame,  when  I  am  pacified  toward  thee  for 


THE    WELCOME   EECEPTION.  289 

all  that  thou  hast  done."  The  freeness  of  the 
divine  love  to  our  guilty  souls,  washing  away 
all  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  covering  us  with 
his  own  perfect  righteousness,  and  adopting 
and  owning  us  as  his  children,  when  we  were 
before  so  disobedient  and  rebellious,  will  al- 
ways thus  humble  us  before  God.  It  will 
make  us  more  afraid  to  sin — more  watchful 
against  temptation — more  anxious  in  every 
thing  to  do  the  will  of  God  in  time  to  come. 
We  become  earnest  and  watchful  not  to  lose 
a  privilege  so  great,  or  in  any  thing  to  offend 
or  wound  our  loving  Master  and  Lord.  Our 
experience  of  his  pardoning  love  carries  us 
back  to  remember  all  our  rebellions  and  sins 
against  him.  We  see  that  it  is  he  who  has 
sought  us,  in  his  own  electing,  distinguishing 
love,  and  not  we  who  first  sought  him.  Ho 
says,  "  Ye  have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have 
chosen  you,  and  ordained  you,  that  ye  should 
go  and  bring  forth  fruit,  and  that  your  fruit 
should  remain."  All  our  boasting,  therefore, 
is  excluded  by  the  freeness  of  his  pardoning 
13 


290  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

grace,  and  the  new  creating  power  of  his  di- 
vine Spirit,  who  said  to  us  "  Live,"  when  we 
were  dead  in  our  sins.  Thus  every  real  Chris- 
tian feels  deeply  humbled  and  abased  in  the 
presence  of  that  holy  Lord  who  became  our 
kinsman  that  he  might  be  our  Eedeemer  and 
our  Saviour.  Thus  the  saints  in  glory  feel. 
They  cast  their  crowns  before  his  throne. 
They  proclaim  Him  alone  worthy  to  receive 
the  glory,  who  was  slain,  and  has  redeemed 
them  to  God  by  his  blood,  out  of  every  kin- 
dred, and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation  ;  and 
made  them  unto  God  kings  and  priests. 

My  dear  young  friends,  is  this  your  mind  ? 
Do  you  thus  cast  yourselves  in  the  dust,  with 
a  deep  sense  of  your  sinfulness,  before  the  feet 
of  your  gracious  Saviour  ?  Have  you  ever 
come  truly  to  his  feet  in  the  real  renewing  of 
your  heart  by  the  power  of  his  Holy  Spirit  ? 
Does  he  see  you  casting  out  all  proud  thoughts 
of  your  own  greatness,  and  desires  for  your 
own  glory,  and  wishing  to  count  every  thing 
but  loss  for  his  sake  ?     Can  he  testify  to  your 


THE   WELCOME   RECEPTION.        291 

inmost  purpose  and  effort,  in  every  thing  to 
honor  him,  and  carry  out  his  will  ?  Ah,  this 
is  religion.  This  is  the  work  of  his  own  hand. 
This  is  the  blessedness  of  his  people.  This  is 
the  happiness  of  those  who  wait  upon  him. 
Seek  it  with  all  your  heart — earnest,  deter- 
mined to  obtain  a  blessing  of  such  inestimable 
worth,  and  to  live  alone  and  for  ever,  for  that 
gracious  Master  who  feeds  you  with  the  bread 
of  his  truth,  comforts  you  with  the  refresh- 
ment of  his  promises,  supports  you  by  the 
power  of  his  grace,  and  will  receive  you  to  tho 
kingdom  of  his  glory. 


XIII. 

%\t  $  una  as  J^pffbatifiR. 

* 

•*  Aad  Boaz  answered  and  said  unto  her,  It  hath  fully  been  showed  mo, 
all  that  thou  hast  done  unto  thy  mother-in-law  since  the  death  of 
thine  husband:  and  how  thou  hast  left  thy  father  and  thy  mother, 
and  the  land  of  thy  nativity,  and  art  come  unto  a  people  which  thou 
knewest  not  heretofore.  The  Loed  recompense  thy  work,  and  a  full 
reward  be  given  thee  of  the  Loed  God  of  Israel,  under  whose  wings 
thou  art  come  to  trust.  Then  she  6aid,  Let  me  find  favor  in  thy 
6ight,  my  lord ;  for  that  thou  hast  comforted  me,  and  for  that  thou 
hast  spoken  friendly  unto  thine  handmaid,  though  I  be  not  like  unto 
one  of  thine  handmaidens.  And  Boaz  said  unto  her,  At  meal-time 
come  thou  hither,  and  eat  of  the  bread,  and  dip  thy  morsel  In  the 
vinegar.  And  she  sat  beside  the  reapers :  and  he  reached  her  parched 
corn,  and  she  did  eat,  and  was  sufficed,  and  left.  And  when  she  was 
risen  up  to  glean,  Boaz  commanded  his  young  men,  saying,  Let  her 
glean  even  among  the  sheaves,  and  reproach  her  not.  And  let  fall 
also  some  of  the  handfuls  of  purpose  for  her,  and  leave  them,  that 
she  may  glean  them,  and  rebuke  her  not— Kuth,  ii.  11-16. 

What  mercies  God  is  pleased  to  lay  up  for 
those  who  love  him  !  They  cover  all  our 
wants  in  the  present  life,  and  all  our  possible 
desires  for  the  future.  Earthly  friends  may 
fail,  and  earthly  sources  may  disappoint  us. 


THE    GRACIOUS    APPROBATION.    293 

But  we  can  never  really  pat  the  trust  of  our 
heart  in  God,  and  be  disappointed  in  the  end. 
Our  fidelity  to  him  may  be  secret — confined, 
as  we  suppose  often,  to  the  consciousness  of 
our  own  hearts.  But  he  brings  our  secret 
things  to  light,  and  openly  rewards  us  for  all 
that  we  have  done  and  suffered  for  him,  how- 
ever privately. 

Ruth  begins  now  to  reap  the  abundant 
harvest  which  is  growing  for  her  in  the  divine 
purposes  of  mercy — a  harvest  of  which  Boaz's 
fields  are  only  a  part,  and  of  which  indeed 
all  that  Boaz  possessed  was  but  a  feeble  il- 
lustration. She  had  been  faithful  in  that 
which  appeared  to  be  the  least,  and  now  she 
was  to  be  rewarded  with  that  which  seemed  to 
be  much.  We  proceed  in  her  story  with  de- 
light, hardly  knowing  whether  to  admire  it 
more  as  the  history  of  her  kinsman  and  her- 
self, or  as  an  exhibition  of  the  grace  and 
goodness  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  to  whom  it 
so  clearly  points. 

We  have  first  to  remark  upon  the  gracious 


294  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

approbation  which  Boaz.  bestows  upon  her. 
She  thought  herself  unknown,  and  perhaps 
neglected.  But  this  gracious  stranger  ap- 
pears to  be  perfectly  familiar  with  her  whole 
history,  and  though  he  knew  not  her  person- 
ally, her  faithfulness  to  her  mother  had  been 
fully  related  to  him.  It  is  thus  you  may 
often  think  yourself  unknown,  and  unob- 
served in  your  efforts  to  do  right  in  your  dif- 
ferent relations  of  life,  when  there  are  many 
eyes  upon  you,  watching  your  character^  and 
many  ears  may  be  listening  to  what  the  Lord 
has  enabled  you  thus  to  do  for  him.  Give 
yourself  no  concern  about  this.  Seek  always 
the  grace  to  think  and  to  do  such  things  as 
are  right.  God  your  Guardian  and  Protector 
will  see  that  you  have  all  the  reputation  and 
recompense  which  is  good  for  you.  What- 
soever things  are  pure,  lovely,  and  of  good  re- 
port, follow  after  them,  without  reference  to 
the  knowledge  or  approbation  of  others 
around  you.  Buth  supposed  herself  concealed 
in  the  field  of  Boaz.     But  he  declares  to  her 


THE    GRACIOUS    APPROBATION.    295 

that  her  faithfulness  to  Naomi  had  been  fully 
related  to  him,  and  he  knew  her  well.  In  the 
most  kind  and  delicate  manner,  he  recounts 
the  facts  of  her  past  history  ;  animating  and 
encouraging  her  with  just  approbation,  and 
not  mortifying  or  abashing  her  with  unreason- 
able flattery.  He  recites  her  love  to  her 
mother,  her  faith  in  God,  her  affectionate 
trust  in  him,  leaving  all  that  she  loved  for  his 
sake,  and  coming  to  join  herself  to  his  people 
whom  she  had  not  known  before.  It  would 
not  be  an  inferior  use  of  this  passage,  to 
commend  to  your  notice  its  refinement  and 
dignity.  What  an  illustration  it  is  of  that 
condescension  without  haughtiness,  of  that 
commendation  without  assumption,  of  that 
familiarity  without  coarseness,  which  are  so 
peculiarly  the  attributes  of  a  noble  mind,  and 
the  results  of  what  we  call  good  breeding  in 
social  life.  We  may  often  have  occasion  to 
remark,  that  never  was  there  given  to  man 
such  a  manual  for  elegance  and  delicacy  with- 
out pretense,  in  his  social  relations,  as  the 


296  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

Bible  gives.  It  is  politeness  proceeding  from 
benevolence  and  growing  out  of  real  sympa- 
thy, and,  like  the  Greek  word  which  means 
both,  it  is  beautiful  and  good — and  beautiful 
because  it  is  good. 

But  there  is  a  far  higher  illustration  here 
than  this.  Thus  the  Saviour  recounts  to 
his  people,  and  for  them,  the  acts  of  their 
life  which  have  manifested  their  love  to  him. 
He  pardons  freely  all  their  sins.  He  justifies 
them  freely  in  his  own  obedience  and  merit. 
But  then  he  tells  us  he  is  not  unrighteous 
to  forget  their  labors  of  love  ;  and  that  not 
even  a  cup  of  cold  water  given  by  them  to  a 
suffering  brother,  in  his  name,  shall  be  for- 
gotten. He  gives  us  an  illustration,  in  the 
twenty-fifth  chapter  of  St.  Matthew,  of  the 
manner  in  which  he  will  recite  in  their 
hearing  the  acts  of  their  obedience,  and  thus 
shows  them  the  way  in  which  they  shall  have 
their  due  praise  of  God.  Can  you  not  under- 
stand well  the  distinction  between  being 
justified  by  the  merits  of  your  own  works, 


THE    GRACIOUS    APPROBATION.     297 

and  your  works  being  accepted  as  the  evi- 
dence of  the  reality  of  your  faith  and  the 
sincerity  of  your  love  for  Christ  ?  Nothing 
that  you  do  is  worthy  the  Saviour's  notice. 
But  nothing  that  you  really  do  for  him  will 
be  unnoticed  by  him.  You  will  never  be 
rewarded  for  your  works.  But  you  will  be 
judged  by  your  works.  They  are  the  proofs 
of  your  faith,  as  the  fruits  on  the  tree  are 
the  evidences  of  its  character  and  its  worth. 
Jesus  may  say  of  many  a  poor,  lonely  gleaner 
in  his  field,  who  hardly  supposes  himself 
noticed  by  any  one,  who  toils  in  the  sincerity 
of  his  spirit,  to  do  and  to  bear  his  Master's 
will,  and  feels  himself  to  be  less  than  the 
least  of  all  the  Lord's  mercies  to  him  :  "  Yes, 
I  know  thee  well.  I  have  seen  all  thy  labors, 
all  thine  attainments,  and  all  thy  failures. 
I  have  seen  thine  endeavors  to  do  right, 
when  thine  efforts  never  came  to  any  fruit. 
I  have  seen  all  thy  sorrows  over  thine  in- 
ability to  accomplish  more.  I  know  thy 
temptations  and  thy  difficulties  well.  I  have 
13* 


298  THE    RICH   KIKSMAN. 

seen  tliee  leave  the  land  of  thy  nativity,  thy 
careless,  sinful  state — the  companions  and  the 
pleasures  of  thy  sin — and,  forsaking  father 
and  mother,  come  to  seek  a  shelter  and  a 
home  with  me.  I  have  seen  thee  in  every 
step  of  thy  progress,  as  my  own  Spirit  led 
thee  on  from  strength  to  strength,  in  thy 
desire  to  do  my  will.  And  nothing  that 
thou  hast  done  for  me  shall  be  left  without 
its  reward."  Ah,  thus  does  our  great  Kins- 
man notice  us  in  all  our  conflicts  and  cares. 
He  speaks  his  gracious  approbation  to  our 
own  hearts.  He  makes  us  feel  a  happiness 
and  peace  within,  under  his  tender  smile  of 
approval,  though  the  world  may  reject  us 
and  men  may  cast  us  out.  His  Spirit  bears 
witness  with  our  spirits,  and  brings  the 
promises  and  presence  of  Jesus  to  our  hearts  ; 
and  then  we  rejoice  in  tribulations,  and 
prefer  the  reproach  of  Christ  to  the  treasures 
of  the  world ;  and  choose  rather  to  suffer 
affliction  with  the  people  of  God  than  to 
enjoy  the    pleasures    of   sin    for    a    season 


THE    GRACIOUS  APPROBATION.     299 

Certainly  there  is  nothing  on  earth  so  blessed 
and  so  precious  as  the  approbation  of  our 
divine  Master,  speaking  in  our  own  hearts, 
of  the  service  we  have  feebly  but  sincerely 
tried  to  render  to  him. 

But  Boaz  not  only  expresses  approbation, 
he  also  speaks  of  recompense  to  Ruth.  "  The 
Lord  recompense  thy  work,  and  a  full  reward 
be  given  thee  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel, 
under  whose  wings  thou  art  come  to  rest." 
She  shall  not  be  unrewarded.  Naomi  may 
not  be  able  to  do  any  thing  for  her.  But 
Naomi  has  other  paymasters  in  the  Lord's 
employ  beside  herself.  Our  acts  of  Lenevo- 
lence  and  love  for  Christ's  sake  C3,n  never 
go  without  their  result  of  blessiog  even  in 
this  life.  The  merciful  man  doeth  good  to 
his  own  soul.  We  comfort  tba  needy  and 
the  sorrowing,  and  we  are  thua  preparing 
comforters  for  ourselves  in  the  persons  of 
others  whom  the  Lord  \fJl  raise  up  to 
minister  to  our  wants.  "Wo  ?id  the  children 
of  the  poor,  and  we  ar,  Uying  up  a  heritage 


300  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

for  our  children  in  "the  kindness  of  others 
whom  we  know  not.  "  Blessed  is  he  that 
considereth  the  poor ;  the  Lord  will  deliver 
him  in  time  of  trouhle.  The  Lord  will  pre- 
serve him  and  keep  him  alive,  and  he  shall 
be  blessed  on  the  earth."  It  would  be  an 
interesting  subject  for  our  observation  and 
study,  how  constantly  and  regularly  God 
repays  our  acts  of  love  by  others  in  their 
own  kind.  So  that  in  mere  material  results 
we  lose  nothing.  "  There  is  that  scattereth 
and  yet  increaseth."  "  The  liberal  soul  shall 
be  made  fat.  And  he  that  watereth  others 
shall  be  watered  also  himself."  I  knew  a 
faithful  woman  who  had  been  the  succorer 
of  many.  But  her  husband  died,  and  left 
her  impoverished,  in  the  settlement  of  what 
was  considered  a  good  estate.  She  had  a 
son  whom  she  tenderly  loved,  and  whom  she 
struggled  to  educate,  and  elevate  from  the 
depressing  influence  of  unexpected  poverty. 
A  man  of  wealth  became  acquainted  with 
her  condition,  and,  through  the  agency  of 


THE    GRACIOUS    APPROBATION.    301 

another,  provided  for  the  thorough  education 
of  the  boy.  The  son  became  eminent  and 
wealthy.  The  last  years  of  his  venerated 
mother  were  made  rich  and  happy  by  his 
provision.  She  lived  till  he  was  fifty  years 
of  age.  And  prosperity  and  honor  crowned 
them  both.  And  better  than  all  this,  true 
religion  adorned  their  characters,  and  made 
their  habitation  blessed.  But  the  rich  man 
who  had  educated  him  died  insolvent,  and 
left  his  own  children  without  provision.  And 
this  boy,  who  was  now  a  man  of  property 
and  influence,  took  charge  of  them,  and 
educated  and  established  them  in  respectable 
life.  And  they  still  live  to  witness  that  the 
Lord  is  gracious,  and  that  blessed  is  the 
man  who  trusteth  in  him.  Here  is  recom- 
pense. And  it  would  be  recompense  enough 
for  all  that  man  can  do  for  his  fellow  man. 
"  He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth 
unto  the  Lord ;  and  that  which  he  hath 
given  will  he  pay  him  again."  I  have  no 
doubt   that  when  God  reads  to  us  his  book 


302  THE   KICH  KINSMAN. 

of  providence  we  shall  see  that  this  promise 
never  failed  in  a  single  instance. 

But  apart  from  this  result  of  recompense, 
there  is  also  our  own  happiness  in  the  work 
itself.  "It  is  more  blessed,"  that  is,  it  is 
happier,  a  happier  state  and  habit  of  mind, 
a  happier  condition  of  feeling  and  thought, 
"to  give  than  to  receive."  Whatever  we 
do  in  kindness  to  others  for  Christ's  sake, 
he  returns  to  us  in  our  own  secret  personal 
enjoyments.  He  ministers  to  us  a  peace  and 
blessedness  in  the  work  which  is  our  inward 
possession,  and  which  comes  to  us  without 
any  reference  to  outward  results.  When 
Boaz  said  to  Kuth,  "  The  Lord  recompense 
thy  work,"  she  might  have  replied  to  him 
that  she  was  recompensed  already.  It  was 
happiness  enough  in  itself  to  labor  for  a 
mother  that  she  loved.  She  was  gathering 
far  richer  fruits  than  the  scattered  ears 
of  her  kinsman's  corn.  Her  peaceful,  hope- 
ful, grateful  mind  which  God  had  given 
to  her,   under  the  truth  that   Naomi    had 


THE    GRACIOUS   APPROBATION.     303 

taught  her,  made  the. day  of  her  lahor  for 
Naomi  a  day  of  thankfulness.  This  is  a 
recompense  you  will  never  lose  in  your  efforts 
to  honor  the  Lord  in  acts  of  benevolence 
and  love,  at  home  or  abroad.  Be  kind,  be 
generous,  be  forbearing,  be  tender,  be  affec- 
tionate in  your  relations  to  all.  Do  it  for 
Jesus'  sake,  because  he  has  been  so  to  you. 
And  though  you  may  be  disappointed  in  some 
of  the  outward  results  of  your  efforts,  you 
shall  never  fail  in  reaping  this  blessed  harvest 
of  joy  within.  How  beautifully  is  this  thought 
displayed  in  those  anonymous  lines  ! 

"A  poor,  -wayfaring  man  of  grief 

Hath  often  crossed  me  on  my  way, 
Who  sued  so  humbly  for  relief, 

That  I  could  never  answer  Nay. 
I  had  not  power  to  ask  his  name, 
Whither  he  went,  or  whence  he  came ; 
Yet  there  was  something  in  his  eye 
That  won  my  love,  I  knew  not  why. 

"  Once,  when  my  scanty  meal  was  spread, 
.  He  entered ;  not  a  word  he  spake  ; 
Just  perishing  for  want  of  bread, 

I  gave  him  all ;  he  blessed  it,  brake, 
And  ate,  but  gave  me  part  again. 
Mine  was  an  angel's  portion  then ; 
And  while  I  fed  with  eager  haste, 
The  crust  waa  manna  to  my  taste. 


304  THE   KICH    KINSMAN. 

"  I  spied  him  where  a  fountain  burst, 

Clear  from  the  rock ;  his  strength  was  gone 

The  heedless  water  mocked  his  thirst ; 
He  heard  it,  saw  it  hurrying  on. 

I  ran  and  raised  the  sufferer  up ; 

Thrice  from  the  stream  he  drained  my  cap ; 

Dipped,  and  returned  it  running  o'er ; 

I  drank,  and  never  thirsted  more. 

"  'Twas  night :  the  floods  were  out ;  it  blew 

A  wintry  hurricane  aloof; 
I  heard  his  voice  abroad,  and  flew 

To  bid  him  welcome  to  my  roof. 
I  warmed,  I  clothed,  I  cheered  my  guest ; 
Laid  him  on  mine  own  couch  to  rest ; 
Then  made  the  earth  my  bed,  and  seemed 
In  Eden's  garden  while  I  dreamed. 

"  Stripped,  wounded,  beaten  nigh  to  death, 
I  found  him  by  the  highway  side ; 

I  roused  his  pulse,  brought  back  his  breath, 
Kevived  his  spirit,  and  supplied 

Wine,  oil,  refreshment ;  he  was  healed. 

I  had,  myself,  a  wound  concealed ; 

But,  from  that  hour,  forgot  the  smart, 

And  peace  bound  up  my  broken  heart. 

"  In  prison  I  saw  him  next,  condemned 
To  meet  a  traitor's  doom  at  morn ; 
The  tide  of  lying  tongues  I  stemmed, 

And  honored  him  'mid  shame  and  scorn 
My  friendship's  utmost  zeal  to  try, 
He  asked  if  I  for  him  would  die ; 
The  flesh  was  weak,  my  blood  ran  chill, 
But  the  free  spirit  cried,  '  I  will !' 


THE    GRACIOUS  APPROBATION.     305 

"  Then,  in  a  moment,  to  my  view 

The  stranger  started  from  disguise ; 
The  tokens  in  his  hands  I  knew ; 

My  Saviour  stood  before  my  eyes ! 
He  spake,  and  my  poor  name  he  named ; 
*  Of  me  thou  hast  not  been  ashamed ; 
These  deeds  shall  thy  memorial  be ; 
Fear  not ;  thou  didst  it  unto  me.'  " 


But  Boaz  prays  for  more  than  recompense. 
"  A  full  reward  be-  given  thee,  of  the  Lord 
God  of  Israel,  under  whose  wings  thou  art 
come  to  trust."  For  full  rewards  in  any 
course  of  human  life,  we  must  look  beyond 
the  present  state  of  being.  The  Saviour  says 
of  tbe  objects  of  beneficent  action,  "  They  can 
not  recompense  thee,  but  thou  shalt  be  recom- 
pensed in  the  resurrection  of  the  just."  What- 
ever results  come  now  from  any  of  tbe  acts  of 
life,  they  are  extremely  partial.  The  final 
results  are  yet  to  be  revealed.  The  death 
which  is  the  wages  of  sin,  is  a  death  beyond 
the  mere  departure  of  a  sinful  spirit  from  the 
earth.  And  the  glory  which  God  has  laid  up 
for  those  who  love  him,  it  has  not  entered 
into  the  heart  of  man  here  to  conceive.     AH 


306  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

the  present  life  is  the  mere  seed  time.  The 
abundant  harvest  is  to  be  gathered  hereafter. 
But  it  will  be  surely  gathered.  The  Saviour 
shall  himself  minister  to  those  who  have  been 
faithful  to  him  here,  an  abundant  recompense, 
a  full  reward.  If  he  shall  smile  upon  you  in 
approbation  when  you  meet  him  face  to  face 
— if  he  shall  welcome  you  with  approval  when 
you  stand  before  him  in  judgment — if  he 
shall  bid  you  enter  into  his  joy  when  eternity 
opens  its  doors  in  your  view — if  he  shall  wit- 
ness to  your  fidelity  in  the  presence  of  his 
angels — will  not  that  one  commencement  of  a 
happy  eternity  be  in  itself  a  full  reward,  an 
abundant  recompense,  for  all  that  you  can 
have  done,  or  suffered,  or  lost  for  him,  in  the 
longest  life  of  labor  on  the  earth  ?  And  yet 
all  that  is  but  a  commencement.  The  day 
has  come  when  you  shall  be  in  1he  presence 
of  the  Lord  for  ever — when  the  Lamb  in  the 
midst  of  the  throne  shall  dwell  with  you,  and 
feed  you,  and  lead  you  to  living  fountains  of 
water,  and  you  shall  go  no  more  out.    I  am 


THE   GRACIOUS   APPEOBA1  ION.     307 

not  hesitating  or  scanty  in  speaking  of  this 
state  of  reward.  No.  Though  you  are  justi- 
fied freely  by  the  grace  of  God,  and  saved 
only  by  the  death  and  resurrection  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  you,  and  nothing  that 
you  can  do  can  have  the  least  worth  in  the 
sight  of  an  holy  God,  to  challenge  his  favor  or 
demand  his  acknowledgment,  yet,  nothing 
that  you  really  do  for  Christ  shall  go  without 
its  reward.  The  hope  of  reward  is  not  your 
motive,  but  the  grateful  love  for  Jesus  who 
hath  already  saved  you.  But  the  love  of 
Jesus  for  you  has  laid  up  for  you  the  crown 
of  his  own  righteousness,  to  be  given  to  you 
in  the  last  day.  And  he  has  himself  assured 
you  that  what  you  sincerely  do  for  his  sake 
to  the  very  least  of  his  servants,  the  poorest 
of  all  whom  his  grace  has  saved,  you  do  for 
him,  and  shall  in  no  wise  lose  your  reward. 

But  while  the  Saviour  thus  animates  and 
encourages  his  disciples  with  the  blessed  hope 
before  them,  see  how  the  answer  of  Euth  to 
Boaz  illustrates  their  self-renouncing  mind 


308  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

"Then  she  said,  Let  me  find  favor  in  thy 
sight,  my  lord,  for  that  thou  hast  comforted 
me,  and  for  that  thou  hast  spoken  friendly 
unto  thine  handmaid,  though  I  be  not  like 
unto  one  of  thine  handmaidens."  The  more 
generously  a  noble  mind  is  dealt  with,  the 
more  humble  and  unassuming  does  it  become. 
This  is  eminently  the  case  with  the  children 
of  God  when  their  divine  Eedeemer  comforts 
and  blesses  them.  Never  do  they  feel  so 
perfectly  unworthy  as  when  he  pours  the 
special  ministration  of  the  oil  of  gladness  into 
their  souls.  He  shows  them  his  mercy  and 
his  faithfulness,  and  they  are  overwhelmed 
with  a  sense  of  their  own  utter  guiltiness  in 
his  sight.  This  is  their  present  mind  :  "  Before 
honor  goeth  humility."  It  is  the  herald  of 
exaltation,  the  attending  minister  of  real  ex- 
cellence. They  are  never  separated.  And 
the  more  glorious  the  exaltation  of  the  honor 
becomes,  the  more  multiplied  will  be  the  train 
and  circle  of  the  humility  that  waits  around. 
How  the  Saviour  illustrates  this  in  the  twen- 


THE   GRACIOUS   APPROBATION.     309 

ty-fifth  chapter  of  St.  Matthew  !  He  recites 
the  excellence  of  his  people — he  recounts  the 
evidences  which  they  have  given  of  their 
fidelity  to  him — he  proclaims  the  rewards 
which  he  bestows,  accumulated  as  their  faith- 
fulness has  been  made  manifest.  But  he 
represents  them  as  perfectly  self-renouncing. 
"  Lord,  when  did  we  do  all  this  ?"  So  com- 
pletely is  their  mind  and  memory  filled  with 
his  goodness  that  there  is  no  standing-place 
there  for  any  recollection  of  their  own  acts  of 
love  to  him.  So  abounding  and  immeasur- 
able appears  his  love  to  them,  that  less  than 
nothing  in  the  comparison,  seems  every  act  of 
theirs  for  him  in  return.  Like  Kuth,  they 
can  praise  him  for  the  comfort  he  has  be- 
stowed upon  them,  for  the  gracious  and 
friendly  way  in  which  he  has  spoken  to  them. 
But  all  this  only  increases  their  sense  of  their 
own  unworthiness  of  such  mercy.  And  their 
cry  and  prayer  is,  that  they  may  still  find 
favor  in  his  sight — that  he  would  look  upon 
them  with  eyes  of  mercy,  and  think  of  them 


310  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

according  to  his  own  grace,  and  not  according 
to  thsir  merits.  This  is  the  true  and  constant 
operation  of  the  free  grace  of  the  Gospel  upon 
the  believing  heart.  "  Faith  worketh  by 
love."  First,  by  the  love  of  Christ,  which  it 
receives,  to  subdue  and  sanctify  the  soul ;  and 
then  by  the  love  for  Christ  which  it  produces, 
to  glorify  and  honor  the  Saviour,  on  whom 
alone  it  rests.  And  throughout  eternity  it 
will  say,  "  Not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  name 
be  all  the  glory,  for  thy  loving-kindness  and 
thy  truth's  sake." 

Boaz  gracious  provisions  for  the  lonely 
stranger,  crown  and  close  this  instructive 
interview.  He  invites  her  to  come  and  par- 
take with  him  of  the  meal  he  had  prepared 
for  his  servants.  He  seats  her  in  honor 
among  the  reapers  of  his  harvest.  He  reaches 
forth  his  own  hand  to  feed  her  at  his  table. 
He  satisfies  her  need  completely,  and  she  de- 
parts in  peace.  He  gives  command  to  his 
servants  to  allow  her  the  utmost  liberty  in 
gleaning,  without  reproach.     He  bids  them  in 


THE   GRACIOUS   APPROBATION.       311 

the  most  delicate  way  to  drop,  as  if  by  acci- 
dent, still  more  abounding  supplies  in  her 
way,  that  she  may  have  more  than  a  common 
gleaner's  portion.  Was  any  conduct  of  man 
ever  more  delicate,  dignified,  or  beautiful  ? 
What  a  pattern  it  is  of  benevolence  and  re- 
finement !  But  it  is  only  a  feeble  illustration 
of  the  riches  #f  a  Saviour's  grace.  Is  this  not 
the  very  way  in  which  our  great  Kinsman 
deals  with  those  whom  he  loves  and  saves  ? 
He  comes  to  the  earthly  assemblies  of  his 
people,  and  sits  at  the  table  he  has  spread  for 
them,  and  bids  them  all  to  eat  of  the  bread 
which  he  has  provided,  and  to  drink  of  the 
cup  which  he  has  mingled.  It  is  the  bread 
of  life.  It  is  the  cup  of  salvation.  He  calls 
the  poor  fainting  sinner  to  come  without 
doubt  or  fear  and  take  his  place  among  the 
company  of  the  redeemed — for  every  thing  is 
there  provided  which  he  can  need — abounding 
grace  for  abounding  sin.  He  bids  them 
always  freely  come,  without  hesitation,  nor  to 
imagine  that  they  can  bring  any  thing  to  the 


312  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

feast  which  he  has  so  bountifully  prepared 
for  the  outcast  and  the  poor.  He  ministers 
himself  to  their  secret  wants.  He  reaches 
forth  with  his  own  hand  the  parched  corn  of 
his  sacrifice  for  them.  He  makes  them,  by 
his  own  Spirit,  to  feed  upon  that  one  offering 
made  for  them  in  his  own  burnt  sacrifice  in 
their  behalf.  And  in  this  secret,  personal, 
divine  ministration  of  his  Spirit  to  their  souls, 
they  eat,  and  are  sufficed.  It  is  hidden  man- 
na. It  is  enduring  meat.  It  is  life-giving 
bread.  And  they  go  on  their  way  rejoicing 
with  exceeding  joy  at  the  unexpected  gifts 
and  mercies  which  their  great  Kinsman  has 
bestowed. 

The  Lord  not  only  thus  ministers  to  them 
personally.  He  also  gives  command  concern- 
ing them.  His  ministers  are  sent  forth  to 
feed  his  people.  In  the  fulfillment  of  their 
duty,  they  may  honestly  strive  to  finish  the 
work  committed  to  them.  But  they  are  com- 
pletely ignorant  of  the  Lord's  gracious  pur- 
poses to  individuals  in  their  ministry.     They 


THE   GRACIOUS   APPROBATION.     813 

try  to  break  the  bread  of  life,  with  wisdom 
and  justice  of  application.  But  whom  the 
Lord  intends  himself  personally  to  feed,  they 
can  never  know.  They  let  fall  the  handfuls 
of  his  truth,  his  gracious  promises,  his  solemn 
warnings,  his  earnest  appeals,  in  the  pathway 
of  the  field  as  they  go  on  their  work.  But 
who  shall  really  gather  them,  Jesus  the 
Master  of  the  field  alone  can  order.  How 
often  some  perfect  stranger  comes  into  the 
Church  of  God,  and  finds  there  the  very  mes- 
sage which  his  soul  required  !  He  sees  a  man 
who  seems  to  tell  him  all  that  he  ever  did. 
The  very  secrets  of  his  heart  appear  to  be  dis- 
closed. He  wonders  with  amazement  who  can 
have  proclaimed  him  there.  He  falls  in  secret 
on  his  face,  and  gives  the  glory  to  God.  A 
handful  has  been  dropped  on  purpose  for  him 
The  very  thing  he  wanted,  he  has  found. 
The  very  message  he  had  longed  for,  he  has 
heard.  The  Lord  speaks  to  him  face  to  face. 
"  Surely,"  he  says,  "  the  Lord  is  in  this  place, 
and  I  knew  it  not."  Ah  !  this  is  wonderful 
14 


314  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

ministration.  But  this  is  the  Saviour's  con- 
stant ministration.  Thus  he  presents  himself 
as  the  Master  of  our  assemblies.  Thus  he 
comes  as  the  great  Prophet  and  Teacher  of 
his  people.  Thus  by  his  own  Spirit  he  speaks 
in  secret  to  their  souls,  and  gives  knowledge 
of  salvation  to  those  who  are  in  darkness  and 
the  shadow  of  death. 

0  my  young  friends,  may  he  speak  so  to 
you  !  Open  your  hearts  to  receive  his  truth. 
Be  grateful  for  his  merciful  visitations  to  you. 
Put  nothing  in  his  way,  no  obstinacy  of  your 
wills,  no  carelessness  of  your  miuds,  no  fret- 
falness  of  your  rebellion,  no  pride  of  your 
unbelief,  no  hesitation  to  listen  to,  and  obey 
his  word.  Is  there  a  message  from  God  for 
thee  to-day  ?  Then  gather  it,  and  treasure 
it  up,  as  dearer  to  you  than  thousands  of  gold 
and  silver.  All  the  things  that  can  be  de- 
sired are  not  to  be  compared  with  it.  A  mes- 
sage of  salvation  !  A  call  from  Christ  to  his 
service  and  his  kingdom  !  An  invitation  to 
the  marriage-supper  of  the  Lamb  !     An  offer 


THE   GRACIOUS  APPROBATION.      315 

from  the  Son  of  God,  to  feed  and  bless  you 
with  his  own  hands  !  0  !  it  is  incomparable 
blessedness  !  It  is  inconceivable  glory !  And 
vet  here  it  is,  given  to  you;  pressed  upon  your 
acceptance,  thrust  into  your  bosoms,  asking 
only  to  be  received.  Do  not  reject  it.  Eter- 
nity can  never  remedy  the  loss  which,  in  a 
moment  of  time,  you  may  thus  experience. 
The  whole  world  can  never  repay  for  the  fail- 
ure of  the  blessings  which,  in  a  handful  of 
the  Saviour's  corn,  in  his  own  field,  may  be 
cast  before  you  in  vain. 


XIV. 

So  she  gleaned  in  the  field  until  even,  and  beat  out  tV,i  she  had  gleaned ; 
and  it  was  about  an  ephah  of  barley.  And  she  *)ok  it  up,  and  went 
into  the  city :  and  her  mother-in-law  saw  whr.„  she  had  gleaned :  and 
she  brought  forth,  and  gave  to  her  that  sla  had  reserved  after  she 
was  sufficed.  And  her  mother-in-law  sai.1  unto  her,  Where  hast  thou 
gleaned  to-day  ?  and  where  wroughtest  thou  ?  blessed  be  he  that  did 
take  knowledge  of  thee.  And  she  showed  her  mother-in-law  with 
whom  she  had  wrought,  and  6aid,  The  man's  name  with  whom  I 
wrought  to-day  is  Boaz.  And  Naomi  said  unto  her  daughter-in-law, 
Blessed  be  he  of  the  Lord,  who  hath  not  left  off  his  kindness  to  the 
living  and  to  the  dead.  And  Naomi  said  unto  her,  The  man  is  near  of 
kin  unto  us,  one  of  our  next  kinsmen.  And  Euth  the  Moabitess  said, 
lie  said  unto  me  also,  Thou  shalt  keep  fast  by  my  young  men,  until 
they  have  ended  all  my  harvest.  And  Naomi  said  unto  Ruth  her 
daughter-in-law,  It  is  good,  my  daughter,  that  thou  go  out  with  his 
maidens,  that  they  meet  thee  not  in  any  other  field.  So  she  kept  fast 
by  the  maidens  of  Boaz  to  glean  unto  the  end  of  barley-harvest  and 
of  wheat- harvest;  and  <3w<^  with  her  mother-in-law.— Euxn,  ii. 
17-23. 

How  imponaxic  an  office  in  the  provision 
for  human  happiness  does  memory  sustain  ! 
We  are  constantly  ascending  hights  in  our 
journey  through  life,  from  which  we  look 
back  upon  the  ground  over  which  we  have 


THE    HAPPY    DISCOVERY.  317 

passed.  As  we  go  on,  the  elevation  of  these 
hights  increases  to  the  end,  and  we  take  still 
wider  and  further  views  of  our  own  conduct 
and  character  as  they  pass  before  our  mind. 
When  the  end  of  the  present  life  shall  come, 
and  from  eternity  we  look  back  upon  the 
whole,  how  much  of  our  happiness  must  de- 
pend upon  the  memory  of  the  past !  God  has 
graciously  designed  our  memoiy  to  be  the  re- 
pository of  joys  for  us.  Every  passing  day 
should  awaken  new  songs  of  gratitude  for  his 
goodness.  And  the  close  of  life  ought  to  be 
filled  with  expressions  of  our  thankfulness  for 
the  mercies  which  have  crowned  the  whole. 
But  if  we  are  compelled  to  look  back  upon 
privileges  despised,  upon  mercies  wasted, 
upon  precious  offers  of  salvation  cast  away, 
upon  life  all  consumed  in  laboriously  doing 
nothing,  how  can  memory  fail  to  be  a  store- 
house of  sorrow  ?  We  are  compelled  to  re- 
member, and  we  have  nothing  to  remember 
but  that  which  gives  us  pain.  0,  that  I 
could  impress  upon  all  my  young  friends  the 


318  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

importance  of  filling  up  their  life,  from  the 
beginning,  with  happy  provisions  for  the  em- 
ployment of  memory  in  the  end  ! 

This  is  the  point  beautifully  illustrated  for 
us  in  the  present  portion  of  the  history  of 
Euth.  What  successful  gleanings  in  a  right 
field  !  She  perseveres  with  patience  to  the 
end  of  her  day.  No  gracious  kindness  of 
Boaz  diminishes  her  industry.  She  does  not 
sin  because  grace  abounds.  She  is  not  tempt- 
ed to  idleness  and  self-indulgence  because 
her  wants  have  been  so  abundantly  cared  for 
by  him.  His  tenderness  to  her  becomes,  on 
the  contrary,  a  motive  for  increased  energy 
and  faithfulness.  The  Christian  says,  Now 
let  me  run,  because  I  shall  obtain.  Let  me 
work  with  earnestness  and  fidelity,  because 
God  worketh  with  me,  according  to  his  good 
pleasure.  The  more  the  Saviour  blesses  us, 
the  more  should  we  feel  encouraged  to  do  his 
will.  The  very  kindness  of  his  invitations 
and  his  promises  sustains  our  faith  and  pa- 
tience to  the  end.     Thus  glean  on  until  the 


THE    HAPPY    DISCOVERY.  31^ 

evening.  Lay  up  for  yourselves  a  good  found- 
ation, and  build  upon  it  to  the  end.  Let 
your  evidences  and  fruits  be  abundant  and 
clear,  that  an  abundant  entrance  may  be 
ministered  to  you  in  the  end,  into  the  ever- 
lasting kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.  Euth  beats  out  the  barley  she 
had  gathered,  about  an  ephah,  nearly  a 
bushel.  It  was  a  most  successful  result  of 
her  labor  for  the  day.  Surely  as  she  looked 
upon  it,  her  heart  swelled  with  gratitude  to 
God  who  had  led  her  there,  and  to  Boaz  who 
had  welcomed  her  with  such  compassion. 
Her  spirit  rejoiced  in  the  anticipation  of  her 
mother's  delight,  when  she  should  see  the 
successful  result  of  her  work.  Now  she  might 
reverse  Naomi's  account  of  herself,  for  she 
went  out  in  the  morning  empty,  and  came 
back  in  the  evening  full.  She  took  up  her 
load  with  joy,  heavy  as  the  burden  of  it  really 
was,  and  probably  no  evening  of  her  life  had 
ever  been  so  happy  as  this,  on  which  she  re- 
turned laden  with  the  fruits  of  her  own  in- 


320  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

dustry,  and  of  Boaz'  munificence  to  her. 
She  forgot  that  she  was  a  beggar,  in  the 
joyful  result  of  the  Lord's  goodness  to  her. 

This  I  call  successful  gleaning  in  a  right 
field.  Will  a  life's  gleaning  in  any  other 
field  but  that  of  your  rich  Kinsman  give  you 
the  same  result  ?  Will  the  gleanings  of  sen- 
sual pleasure,  or  of  giddy  frivolity,  or  of  accu- 
mulating gain,  or  of  earthly  ambition,  or  of 
mere  indulgence  and  gratification  in  any 
shape,  lay  up  for  you  this  evening  fullness  on 
which  your  memory  may  delight  to  dwell  ? 
Will  you  look  back  upon  a  merely  worldly, 
selfish  day,  when  the  shadows  of  the  evening 
are  stretched  out,  and  feel  that  it  has  been  a 
happy  one  ?  Will  you  love  then,  in  the  pros- 
pect of  eternity,  to  count  your  gleanings  there, 
and  contemplate  the  pleasures  which  they 
have  successively  afforded  you  ?  Ah,  why  do 
I  ask  you  ?  I  know  it  all  before  your  evening 
comes.  "  Miserable  comforters  are  ye  all," 
will  be  the  bitter  expression  of  your  anguished 
hearts.      The  hour  has   then   arrived   when 


THE    HAITI   DISCOVERY.  321 

these  painted  vails  are  all  decayed,  and  the 
wretchedness  of  a  life  of  sin  will  be  seen  and 
felt,  without  a  comforter.  There  is  no  suc- 
cessful gleaning  but  in  the  field  of  Jesus. 
There  are  blessings  unmingled,  pleasures  with- 
out alloy,  riches  that  wax  not  old.  However 
unworthy  may  appear  your  very  best  attain- 
ments, however  idle  and  empty  may  seem 
your  most  devoted  hours,  when  compared 
with  the  worth  of  the  object  you  have  pur- 
sued, there  will  be  no  disappointment  in  the 
object  itself.  Memory  will  delight  to  dwell 
on  the  love  you  have  received,  on  the  Saviour's 
kindness  in  leading  you  to  his  field,  on  the 
gracious  welcome  which  made  you  there  at 
home,  on  the  many  tokens  of  his  favor  to  you, 
on  the  gifts  of  grace  which  have  made  your 
day  often  unspeakably  happy,  on  the  divine 
strength  which  encouraged  and  enabled  you 
to  persevere  in  the  path  in  which  he  led  you. 
And  then,  when  you  reflect  upon  all  that  he 
has  done  for  you  and  with  you,  what  antici- 
14* 


322  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

pations  of  delight  will  arise  in  the  contempla« 
tion  of  the  future  ! 

"  His  voice,  as  the  sound  of  the  dulcimer  sweet; 
Is  heard  through  the  shadow  of  death ; 
The  cedars  of  Lebanon  bow  at  his  feet, 
The  air  is  perfumed  with  his  breath. 

"  He  looks,  and  ten  thousands  of  angels  rejoice, 
And  myriads  wait  for  his  word; 
He  speaks,  and  eternity,  filled  with  his  voice, 
Reechoes  the  praise  of  the  Lord." 

But  we  may  follow  Kuth  with  the  result  of 
her  successful  gleanings  to  her  mother's  home, 
and  there  we  find  them  in  mutual  congratu- 
lations over  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  them 
both.  She  carried  home  her  treasure,  both 
the  gleanings  of  the  field,  and  the  portion  of 
the  provision  which  Boaz  gave  her.  Naomi 
looked  with  astonishment  upon  her  success. 
Where  could  she  have  gleaned  to  bring  back 
such  a  result  as  this  ?  Who  was  it  that  had 
so  favored  her  gentle,  lonely  daughter  ?  Be- 
fore she  has  time  to  learn,  she  pours  out  her 
prayer  for  the  gracious  blessings  of  God  to 
rest  upon  him.     "  Blessed  be  he  that  did  tako 


THE   HAPPY   DISCOVEKY,  323 

knowledge  of  thee/'  It  was  an  evening  of 
peace  without  anxiety,  of  pleasure  without 
remorse.  Which  of  them  derived  the  most- 
pleasure  from  the  goodness  of  God,  that  had 
so  favored  and  blessed  them  on  that  day,  it 
would  be  difficult  to  say.  Such  mutual  con- 
gratulation and  delight  can  come  only  in  the 
train  of  true  piety  and  of  faithful  devotion  to 
a  Saviour's  cause.  Whether  you  examine  the 
successive  results  of  life  as  they  are  passing, 
or  consider  the  full  issue  of  it  when  the  whole 
has  gone,  the  privilege  of  true  Christians  is 
sincere  and  constant  congratulation.  The  re- 
sult of  all  earthly  schemes  and  pursuits  is 
disappointment  and  recrimination.  You  may 
follow  the  children  of  pleasure  and  folly  to 
any  point  of  their  history,  and  whenever 
they  stop  to  consider,  you  find  them  looking 
back  with  regret  and  anguish,  and  looking 
upon  each  other  with  hostility  and  bitterness. 
How  often  must  they  exclaim  that  others 
have  beguiled  them  into  sin  ;  others  tempted 
them  to  transgression.    They  suffer  painful, 


324  THE   KICH   KINSMAN. 

dreadful  loss,  but  they  charge  their  guilt,  in 
part  at  least,  upon  the  companions  of  their 
sin.  This  mutual  recrimination  among  un- 
pardoned sinners  can  not  but  be  a  permanent 
result  of  their  transgressions.  Whatever  they 
have  gained  when  God  taketh  away  their 
souls,  their  only  portion  is  the  bitterness  of 
remorse,  hateful  and  hating  one  another. 
But  the  gatherers  in  the  field  of  Jesus  find 
unmingled  joy.  He  that  soweth,  and  he  that 
reapeth,  rejoice  together.  Converted  parents 
and  children  delight  in  each  other.  Pastors 
find  the  ransomed  souls  which  have  been 
given  to  them,  their  joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing 
in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  at  his  coming. 
As  the  children  of  God  press  onward  together, 
"Oft  in  danger,  oft  in  woe,"  they. sing  to- 
gether of  the  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord. 
Ketrospection  and  hope,  anticipation  and 
memory  combine  together,  to  cause  them  to 
triumph  in  every  place.  The  Kuths  come 
home  to  pour  out  the  treasures  of  grace  which 
they  have  received,  and   the    Naomis    give 


THE    HAPPY    DISCOVERY.  325 

thanks  over  thein  for  the  goodness  which  has 
taken  such  knowledge  of  them.  Upon  every 
such  habitation  the  glory  of  God  rests  as  a 
crown  and  a  defense.  Increasing  happiness 
marks  the  character  and  experience  of  every 
leligious  family,  and  the  ways  through  which 
God  leads  them  are  ways  of  pleasantness  and 
peace.  These  mutual  congratulations  consti- 
tute one  of  the  greatest  comforts  of  their  jour- 
ney in  life.  And  the  glorious  revelations  of 
eternity,  when  the  saints  of  God  have  all  ar- 
rived at  their  home  in  safety,  will  show  them 
rejoicing  over  each  other  with  joy  and  sing- 
ing, and  uniting  in  a  new  and  everlasting 
song  of  praise  for  all  the  triumphs  of  divine 
grace,  and  the  treasures  of  divine  love  which 
they  have  received.  How  attractive,  my  dear 
young  friends,  is  this  view  of  the  Christian's 
condition  !  He  may  be  poor,  and  yet  he  is 
happy.  He  may  be  lonely,  and  yet  thousands 
rejoice  over  him.  He  may  think  himself  un- 
known, and  yet  there  are  thousands  in  whom, 
if  he  should  pair  out  his  heart  to  them,  he 


326  THE    RICH    KINSMAN 

wsuld  find  the  truest  and  deepest  sympathy. 
0  let  us  cast  our  lot  with  them  ! 

Euth;  made  happier  by  her  mother's  grat- 
itude and  joy,  tells  her  in  whose  fields  she 
had  been  so  successfully  employed.  "The 
man's  name  with  whom  I  wrought  is  Boaz." 
He  was  a  stranger  to  her,  but  not  to  Naomi. 
And  Naomi  instantly  discerns  the  peculiar 
providence  which  had  thus  led  her  daughter 
to  her  kinsman's  field.  She  sees  the  good- 
ness of  the  Lord  in  this  unexpected  arrange- 
ment. This  was  the  kindness  of  the  Lord 
continued  to  the  living  and  to  the  dead. 
And  she  gratefully  prays  that  the  blessing 
of  this  faithful  God  may  rest  upon  Boaz, 
who  had  been  employed  as  the  instrument 
of  his  mercy  this  day.  She  revealed  at  once 
to  Euth  his  peculiar  relation  to  them.  He 
was  their  near  kin;  one  of  their  next  kins- 
men— the  goel  to  whom  they  had  a  right 
by  God's  own  law  to  look  for  protection  and 
support.  I  have  explained  to  you  before 
the  rights  and  obligations  of  this  appointed 


THE    HAPPY    DISCOVERT.  327 

kinsman.  These  divine  appointments  Naomi 
now  explained  to  Kuth.  How  happy  was 
the  discovery  that  was  thus  made  !  Kuth 
found  not  only  that  she  was  not  deserted, 
as  she  supposed,  but  that  the  very  man 
whose  relationship  she  might  claim,  was  the 
one  who  had  extended  such  kindness  to  her 
when  he  was  unknown  and  a  stranger.  Their 
evening's  conversation  had  now  a  new  sub- 
ject. And  the  hours  would  appear  short 
while  they  dwelt  together  upon  their  kins- 
man's tenderness,  fidelity,  and  love. 

Thus,  as  the  two  disciples  went  upon  their 
road  to  Emmaus,  a  stranger  joined  their 
company.  He  asked  the  cause  of  their  sad- 
ness. He  remonstrated  with  their  unbelief. 
He  opened  the  sacred  Scriptures,  and  showed 
them  the  divine  provisions  of  a  suffering  and 
triumphant  Saviour.  He  joined  them  at 
their  table,  and  brake  their  loaf  and  gave 
it  to  them  with  his  own  hands.  Their  eyes 
were  opened.  It  was  their  Lord.  They 
remembered  how  their   hearts  had    burned 


328  THE   fllCH  KINSMAN. 

within  theni  while  he  opened  the  "bread  of 
life  to  their  souls.  How  happy  was  the  dis- 
covery !  They  could  not  contain  it  in  them- 
selves. Though  it  was  night,  and  they  were 
sheltered,  as  they  had  thought,  for  the  night, 
they  instantly  arose  and  walked  back  their 
sixty  furlongs'  journey  to  Jerusalem,  to  teli 
of  all  they  had  seen  and  heard.  Ah,  how 
often  is  this  happy  discovery  made  !  We 
find  the  gracious  Lord  who  has  fed,  pre- 
served, and  blessed  us,  is  our  own  glorious 
Eedeemer.  Our  hearts  are  converted  to  him. 
Our  eyes  are  opened  to  see  him.  His  perfect 
Deity  becomes  manifest  in  his  word.  His 
obedience  and  death  for  us  are  clear  and 
distinct  before  our  view.  His  precious  blood 
cleanses  us.  His  gracious  providence  rules 
us.  His  Holy  Spirit  guides  us.  His  ever- 
lasting arms  are  under  us.  We  are  no  longer 
strangers  to  his  love.  We  now  know  who 
he  is,  and  what  he  is.  And  we  look  back 
and  love  to  recount  the  many  blessings  which 
we  have  received  from  his   hands.     This  is 


THE   HAPTY   DISCOVERY.  329 

the  result  of  simple  Gospel  teaching  under 
the  blessing  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  We  have 
learned  something  of  the  goodness  and  wis- 
dom of  God  before,  as  our  divine  Creator — 
something  of  what  is  called  natural  theology. 
But  when  the  Holy  Spirit  teaches  our  hearts 
of  the  fullness  of  Christ,  then  we  find  that 
our  divine  Creator  is  also  our  dying  and 
exalted  Kedeemer,  our  Kinsman  and  our 
friend.  This  is  most  precious,  happy  infor- 
mation. With  what  simple  faith  we  can 
now  come  to  him  !  With  what  affectionate 
love  we  can  now  embrace  him !  All  that 
we  can  desire  or  want  seems  now  to  be  laid 
up  in  him.  We  love  to  think  of  him — 
to  speak  of  him — to  hear  of  him.  All 
that  we  know  of  him  only  makes  us  the 
more  anxious  to  know  him  more  per- 
fectly. We  welcome  the  ministry  that 
preaches  of  him.  We  love  the  Bible  that 
proclaims  him.  He  has  unsearchable  riches 
of  grace,  and  is  all  our  salvation  and  all 
our  desire. 


330  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

11  Forgotten  is  each  worldly  theme 

When  Christians  meet  together  thus ; 
We  only  wish  to  speak  of  him 
Who  lived,  and  died,  and  reigns  for  us. 

"  We  talk  of  all  he  did  and  said, 
And  suffered  for  us  here  below ; 
The  path  he  marked  for  us  to  tread, 
The  love  he  liveth  still  to  show. 

u  Thus,  as  the  moments  pass  away, 
We  love,  and  wonder,  and  adore ; 
And  hasten  on  the  glorious  day, 

When  we  shall  meet  to  part  no  mere." 

This  happy  discovery  begins  at  once  to 
open  its  blessed  results  to  Euth  and  Naomi. 
How  changed  becomes  the  scene  of  their  life  ! 
How  the  memory  of  the  past  now  mingles 
its  light  with  the  joyful  anticipations  of  the 
future.  The  first  result  is  their  mutual 
agreement  to  abide,  as  their  choice,  by  the 
hopes  which  now  seemed  opening  before 
them.  Kuth  recounts  the  gracious  en- 
couragement of  Boaz  to  remain  in  the  field 
to  which  the  Lord  had  directed  her  steps, 
until  the  whole  harvest  had  been  completed. 
"  He  said  unto  me,  thou  shalt  keep  fast  by 
my  young  men  until  they  have   ended  all 


THE   HAPPY   DISCOVERY.  331 

my  harvest."     And    Naomi   responds    with 

her  cordial   approbation.     "  It   is  good,  my 

daughter,  that  thou  go  out  with  his  maidens, 

that  they  meet  thee  not  in  any  other  field/' 

This  is  their  united  choice  and  determination. 

And  this  determination  Kuth  carries  out  in 

ner  persevering  conduct.      "  She  kept  fast 

by  the  maidens  of  Boaz."     She  persevered 

in  her  gleanings  in  his   field  till  both  the 

barley  and  the  wheat  harvests,  which  were 

nearly  two   months   apart,   were   completed. 

It  is  an  interesting  illustration  of  youthful 

fidelity  in    the    Saviour's    work.      Faithful 

perseverance  in  the  right  path  even  to  the 

end.     Such  fidelity  makes  its   distinct  and 

decided  choice.     The  heart  can  not  serve  God 

and  mammon.     The    treasure   of   the    soul 

must  be  single,  and  its  pursuit  entire.     The 

Saviour's  field  is  perfectly  distinct.     To  be 

in  the  world  as  he  was  in  the  world,  can 

never  be    unintelligible.      To   walk    in    his 

steps,  in  active   duty,   and  submissive   and 

patient  endurance,   can  never  involve  mys- 


332  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

teries  of  conduct  for  our  interpretation, 
though,  to  our  evil  and  corrupt  hearts,  it 
may  be  extremely  difficult  of  attainment. 
We  can  never  doubt  what  positive  and  true 
religion  is  in  the  human  character,  or  what 
it  requires  of  us ;  our  questions  are  never 
on  the  side  of  things  which  are  certainly 
right ;  but  on  the  side  of  those  which  are 
possibly  wrong.  In  such  cases,  there  can 
be  no  question  that  it  is  right  to  abstain 
from  that  which  is  not  perfectly  free  from 
doubt  in  its  indulgence.  Happy  is  it  for 
the  young  Christian  to  take  a  decided,  posi- 
tive standard  of  conduct ;  and  in  all  things 
to  seek  and  to  pursue  that  which  is  mani- 
festly good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  and 
adapted  to  minister  to  a  growth  in  grace, 
and  a  real  likeness  to  a  holy  Master.  Such 
will  avoid  the  scenes  and  instruments  of 
temptation.  "  It  is  good  that  they  meet  thee 
not  in  any  other  field/'  Let  the  Gospel 
itself  minister  to  your  pleasures,  and  be  the 
source  of  your  happiness.     Ask  for  nothing 


THE   HAPPY   EISCOVERY.  333 

winch,  you  can  not  find  there.  Be  contented 
with  the  blessings  which  are  there  provided, 
and  find  in  the  peaceful  and  self-approving 
service  of  your  gracious  Saviour  a  joy  which 
all  the  stormy  raptures  of  the  earth  can 
never  give. 

In  this  simple  spirit  of  fidelity  persevere  to 
the  end  of  his  whole  harvest.  Boaz  began 
his  barley-harvest  with  presenting  to  the 
Lord  his  first  gathered  sheaf,  as  the  first 
fruits  of  a  harvest  to  come.  He  ended  his 
wheat  harvest,  with  an  offering  of  two  loaves 
made  of  fine  flour,  as  an  acknowledgment  of 
his  work  completed,  and  his  toil  repaid. 
Thus  in  the  day  of  your  conversion,  render 
yourself  a  youthful  servant — your  best  affec- 
tions, and  your  most  sincere  and  earnest  de- 
terminations, as  a  sheaf  of  your  first-fruits  for 
Christ.  Through  the  whole  of  a  Christian 
life,  however  long,  persevere  still  in  your 
simple,  single  walk  with  God,  and  devotion  to 
your  chosen  Master.  And  be  ready,  when 
your  work  is  all  complete,  to  present  your 


334  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

loaves  of  fine  flour  at  the  close,  the  record, 
the  fruit,  and  the  evidence,  of  a  whole  life 
devoted  with  conscious  sincerity  to  the  cause 
of  the  one  Great  Master  whom  you  have 
chosen  as  your  own,  and  whom  you  have  de- 
sired faithfully  to  follow.  Set  out  with  the 
determination,  they  shall  find  me  in  no  other 
field.  As  long  as  I  live,  will  I  be  given  to 
the  Lord.  Him  only  will  I  serve.  Maintain 
your  choice  and  your  stand  to  the  end.  And 
have  the  blessed  privilege  of  looking  back  to 
feel  that  your  whole  life  has  been  really  given 
a  living  sacrifice  to  him.  Jesus  will  present 
you  in  your  new  birth  for  him  a  sheaf  before 
the  Father's  throne,  acceptable  and  well- 
pleasing  in  his  sight.  He  will  also  present 
you  as  his  well-sifted  and  baken  loaves, 
proved  and  tried,  when  your  earthly  work  is 
finished,  and  your  heavenly  life  begins.  Let 
all  these  illustrations  meet  in  you.  Happy 
will  be  the  life  which  they  describe,  and 
happy  the  death  to  which  it  leads  ;  and  hap- 
pier far,  the  eternity,  in  the  glories  of  which 


THE    HAPPY    DISCOVERY.  335 

it  results  at  last.  Never,  as  the  fruit  of  such 
a  life,  will  you  look  hack  upon  the  past  with 
regret  ;  or  round  upon  your  companions  with 
hitter  criminations  ;  cr  forward^  to  the  results 
of  life  with  fear.  Memory  and  hope  will 
unite  to  fill  your  cup  with  joy,  and  to  minis- 
ter to  all  your  hours  of  pleasure  their  com- 
bined increase.  Every  source  of  reflection 
becomes  a  source  of  happiness.  Every  object 
of  contemplation  an  agent  or  minister  of  good 
to  you.  You  may  in  all  things  rejoice — in 
every  thing  give  thanks.  You  may  adopt 
those  affecting  lines  of  Toplady — 

"Sweet  to  look  upward  to  the  place 
Where  Jesus  pleads  above  ; 
Sweet  to  look  inward,  and  attend 
The  whispers  of  his  love. 

,l  Sweet  to  look  back  and  see  my  name 
In  life's  fair  book  set  down ; 
Sweet  to  look  forward,  and  behold 
Eternal  joys  my  own. 

'Sweet  to  reflect  how  grace  divine 

My  sins  on  Jesu3  laid ; 
Sweet  to  remember  that  his  death 
My  debt  of  suffering  paid." 


XV. 

®Ivt  flan  if  !Ust. 

♦Then  Kaomi,  her  mother-in-law,  said  unto  her,  My  daughter,  shall  I 
not  seek  rest  for  thee,  that  it  may  be  well  with  thee  ?  And  now  ia 
not  Boaz  of  our  kindred,  with  whose  maidens  thou  wast?  Behold,  he 
winnoweth  barley  to-night  in  the  threshing-floor.  ■  Wash  thyself, 
therefore,  and  anoint  thee,  and  put  thy  raiment  upon  thee,  and  got 
thee  down  to  the  floor;  but  make  not  thyself  known  unto  the  man 
until  he  shall  have  done  eating  and  drinking.  And  it  shall  be  when 
he  lieth  down  that  thou  shalt  mark  the  place  where  he  shall  lie,  and 
thou  shalt  go  in  and  uncover  his  feet,  and  lay  thee  down ;  and  he  will 
tell  thee  what  thou  shalt  do.  And  she  said  unto  her,  All  that  thou 
sayest  unto  me  I  will  do.  And  she  went  down  unto  the  floor,  and  did 
according  to  all  that  her  mother-in-law  bade  her.  And  when  Boaz 
had  eaten  and  drunk,  and  his  heart  was  merry,  he  went  to  lie  down 
at  the  end  of  the  heap  of  corn.  And  she  came  softly  and  uncovered 
his  feet,  and  laid  her  down.  And  it  came  to  pass  at  midnight,  that 
the  man  was  afraid,  and  turned  himself;  and  behold  a  woman  lay  at 
his  feet.  And  he  said,  Who  art  thou  ?  And  she  answered,  I  am  Euth, 
thine  handmaid ;  spread  therefore  thy  skirt  over  thine  handmaid ;  for 
thou  art  a  near  kinsman. — Roth,  iii.  1-9. 

How  many  are  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Kest 
for  my  soul  I  long  to  find  \"  When  we  have 
been  harassed  and  driven  by  the  pressure  of 
outward  cares,  or  burdened  and  made  sad  by 
disappointment  and  afflictions,  or  made  to  see 


THE    PLACE   OF   REST.  83T 

and  feel  the  heavier  burden  of  inward  sin,  the 
thing  for  which  we  ask  is  rest.  The  youthful 
and  animated  eagerly  seek  for  pleasure  and 
excitement.  The  aged  and  the  weary  desire 
only  rest.  To  be  freed  from  burdens  and 
toils  and  human  sorrows  is  in  itself,  in  their 
view,  to  be  happy.  And  the  subject  which 
we  have  now  before  us  illustrates  and  answers 
the  inquiry  for  rest.  It  shows  us  the  place  of 
rest.  It  describes  the  way  to  rest.  It  exhib- 
its the  rest  we  need  and  get.  The  only  place 
of  rest  for  the  sinful  soul  is  at  the  feet  of  a 
resting  Saviour.  Jesus  says  with  the  utmost 
freedom  and  assurance,  "  Come  unto  me,  all 
ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  I  will 
give  you  rest." 

Naomi  says  to  Kuth,  "  shall  I  not  seek  rest 
for  thee,  that  it  may  be  well  with  thee  ?"  She 
desired  rest  from  her  wanderings  in  a  home 
of  peace  ;  rest  from  her  poverty  in  a  sheltered 
provision  for  her  wants  ;  rest  from  her  loneli- 
ness in  the  sympathy  and  tenderness  of  others, 
who  could  encourage  and  protect  her;  rest 
15 


338  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

from  her  aoxious  cares  in  some  merciful  >.nd 
sufficient  arrangement  for  her  future  welfare. 
The  need  of  all  this  in  Kuth's  solitary  and 
exposed  condition,  Naomi  well  understood, 
and  therefore  wisely  and  kindly  planned  for 
its  attainment. 

But  we  may  well  immediately  carry  her 
question  forward  to  another  and  higher  appli- 
cation. There  is  a  rest  which  we  all  should 
seek,  both  for  ourselves  and  for  each  other. 
It  is  rest  from  the  condemnation  of  our  guilt, 
and  the  just  fear  of  its  punishment ;  rest 
from  the  bitter  accusations  of  our  own  con- 
science, and  pardon  and  peace  to  be  minis- 
tered there  ;  rest  from  our  agitating  passions 
and  corrupt  desires,  in  the  renewing  of  our 
mind  and  heart  for  the  service  and  love  of 
God  ;  rest  from  the  rebellion  of  our  perverse 
wills,  in  quiet  submission  to  the  divine  will 
and  commands  ;  rest  from  all  anxieties  for 
our  future  life,  in  an  assured  trust  in  the  mer- 
oiful  and  gracious  providence  of  a  faithful 
Creator ;  rest  from  all  terrors  and  doubts  in 


THE    PLACE   OF   REST.  839 

connection  with  another  life  to  come,  in  that 
perfect  love  of  Christ  which  casteth  out  fear. 
We  need  that  peace  which  God  alone  can 
give  us,  and  which  his  Spirit  only  can  minister 
to  our  hearts.  While  we  are  unpardoned  in 
our  guilt,  and  unconverted  in  our  hearts,  we 
can  have  no  rest.  Not  all  the  provisions  of 
the  world  could  give  us  the  rest  we  need. 
You  wander  in  sin  and  folly,  and  your  souls 
remain  unsatisfied  and  unhlest,  having  no 
hope,  and  without  God  in  the  world.  How 
sad  and  wretched  is  such  a  state  of  mind  !  In 
the  midst  of  outward  blessings  which  you  can 
not  enjoy,  because  your  hearts  within  have  no 
peace  with  God  ;  in  the  possession  of  advan- 
tages and  gifts  which  seem  to  he  vain,  from  the 
sadness  and  loneliness  of  spirit  which  still  reigns 
within.  This  is  the  state  of  worldly  minds 
around  us.  "  Who  will  show  us  any  good  ?" 
they  cry  on  every  side,  because  their  real,  great 
wants  are  perfectly  unsatisfied.  "  There  is 
no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked." 
When  we  see  and  think  of  such  unhappy 


340  THE  RICH  KINSMAN. 

persons,  shall  we  not  seek  rest  for  them,  and 
shall,  we  not  urge  them  to  seek  for  rest,  that 
it  may  be  well  with  them  ?  This  is  the  ob- 
ject for  which  the  Gospel  is  preached  among 
them,  to  awaken  their  minds  to  seek  and  ob- 
tain the  rest  in  God  which  it  offers.  We 
know  that  the  soul  which  has  no  rest  in 
Christ,  can  have  no  rest  in  any  other  possess- 
ion. You  may  for  a  season  blind  your  eyes 
to  your  need,  and  harden  your  hearts  against 
the  sorrows  which  the  consciousness  of  that 
need  will  bring  upon  you.  But  this  is  a  tem- 
porary delusion.  Its  power  to  deceive  will 
soon  pass  by.  Your  days  of  indulgence  and 
folly  will  come  to  their  inevitable  conclusion. 
You  can  then  be  imposed  upon  no  longer. 
God  will  send  his  convincing  Spirit  to  your 
conscience,  and  sin  in  its  condemning  power 
will  revive,  and  all  your  joys  will  die.  Then  you 
will  seek  for  rest.     Your  heart  will  cry  out, — 

*'  O,  where  shall  rest  be  found! 
Best  for  the  weary  soul ; 
'Twere  vain  the  ocean's  depths  to  sound, 
Or  pierce  to  either  pole. 


THE    PLACE   OF   REST.  341 

"  The  world  can  never  give 

The  peace  for  which  we  sigh. 
It  is  not  all  of  life  to  live, 
Nor  all  of  death  to  die." 

Now,  we  knew  all  this  before,  and  with  the 
earnest  anxiety  of  real  affection  for  you;  and 
interest  in  you,  we  say,  "  Shall  we  not  seek 
rest  for  you,  that  it  may  be  well  with  you  ?" 
Never  can  it  be  well  with  you  until  you  find 
that  rest  which  the  present  world  can  never 
give  you. 

This  rest  of  which  we  speak  is  only  to  be 
found  at  the  feet  of  a  resting  Saviour.  I 
should  esteem  it  very  wrong  and  unnecessary 
to  enter  into  any  attempted  apology  for 
Naomi's  direction  to  Kuth.  I  should  be  sorry 
to  think  any  such  attempt  were  necessary. 
The  divine  law  gave  to  Kuth  the  right  to  her 
kinsman's  protection  and  guardian  care.  And 
Naomi,  in  perfect  confidence  in  the  religious 
integrity  of  Boaz,  and  the  virtuous  purity  of 
Kuth,  laid  out  the  plan  by  which,  in  what 
she  esteemed  the  best  and  most  proper  way, 
she  should  present  her  claim  to  her  kinsman's 


342  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

protection  and  notice.  The  primitive  and  pas- 
toral life  to  which  they  were  habituated,  made 
that  conduct  consistent  with  the  propriety  of 
their  several  characters,  which  other  circum- 
stances of  life  would  not  allow.  And  it  would 
be  equally  dishonorable  to  ourselves,  and  in- 
jurious to  the  history,  to  take  any  other  than  a 
religious  view  of  the  scene  which  it  describes. 
Boaz  has  finished  the  labor  of  gathering 
his  harvest.  He  has  winnowed  his  grain  from 
the  chaff.  He  has  celebrated  with  grateful 
joy  his  harvest  festival.  And,  in  the  sim- 
plicity of  his  rural  habits,  he  reposes  himself 
after  the  weariness  of  days  of  labor,  at  the 
end  of  the  heap  of  corn  which  he  had 
gathered.  He  has  completed  his  work,  and 
entered  into  his  rest.  How  beautifully  the 
story  illustrates  the  triumphant  rest  of  our 
glorious  Kinsman  and  Kedeemer  !  He  came 
to  earth  for  his  day  of  toil  and  travail.  On 
these  very  fields  of  Bethlehem  he  began  the 
work  of  that  acceptable  day  of  the  Loid. 
He  journeyed  patiently  through  all  its  hours 


THE   PLACE   OF   BEST.  343 

of  labor.  He  endured  the  reproach  and  the 
suffering  of  his  great  undertaking.  He  per- 
severed through  all  the  obligations  which  it 
laid  upon  him.  The  fields  were  white  for  the 
harvest  which  he  came  to  gather.  The  souls 
of  his  people  were  waiting  for  the  completion 
of  their  redemption  by  his  death.  The  evening 
of  his  day  drew  nigh,  and  he  felt  straitened 
to  accomplish  the  work  which  had  been  given 
him  to  do.  He  gave  himself  up  in  death,  a 
voluntary  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  our  lost 
race.  He  died  upon  the  cross  as  the  ransom 
for  his  chosen  flock.  His  work  was  finished, 
and  his  Church  was  redeemed.  For  the  joy 
that  was  set  before  him,  he  endured  the  cross 
and  despised  the  shame.  He  arose  in  tri- 
umph. He  ascended  to  his  glory.  He  sat 
down  on  his  throne,  henceforth  expecting,  till 
his  enemies  be  made  his  footstool.  He  has 
entered  into  his  rest.  He  is  receiving  his 
reward.  He  is  seeing  of  the  travail  of 
his  soul,  and  is  satisfied.  As  he  gathers 
his  people  to  himself,  he  winnows  his  wheat 


344  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

from  the  chaff,  and  fills  up  his  heavenly 
garner.  Jesus  is  now  a  resting  Saviour.  He 
reigns  in  the  midst  of  his  heavenly  glory,  and 
celebrates  his  harvest-feast  in  the  constant 
gathering  of  his  redeemed.  All  his  days  of 
sorrow  and  weariness  are  over.  He  surveys 
with  delight  the  increasing  triumphs  of  his 
grace.  Precious  in  his  sight  is  the  death  of 
his  saints.  Angelic  messengers  bring  home 
his  sheaves,  conduct  his  ransomed,  sanctified 
people  to  their  eternal  glory ;  and  constantly 
increase  the  joy  of  his  heavenly  habitation. 
And  in  our  hopeful,  happy  faith,  we  look  up- 
ward to  see  our  glorious  Lord,  no  longer  a 
man  of  sorrows,  but  the  King  of  Saints.  He 
is  clothed  with  our  form.  He  is  in  our  na- 
ture, our  great  Kinsman  and  Brother.  But 
he  has  completely  purchased  for  himself  a, 
holy  Church,  which  is  to  be  for  ever  with  him, 
without  spot,  or  blemish,  or  wrinkle,  shining 
in  his  own  righteousness,  and  in  his  everlast- 
ing glory.  And  there,  at  the  feet  of  a  tri- 
umphant, resting  Saviour,  is  our  place  of  rest. 


THE   PLACE   OF   REST.  345 

Never,  never  shall  we  find  rest  until  we  find 
it  there.  To  have  our  part  in  glory  is  to 
have  our  part  with  Christ. 

And  how  clearly  the  way  to  find  this  rest 
is  here  displayed  !  With  perfect  confidence 
in  the  goodness,  wisdom,  and  fidelity  of  Boaz, 
Kuth  carries  out  her  mother's  direction.  She 
marks  the  place  where  he  is  reposing  amidst 
the  gains  of  his  harvest.  She  places  herself 
in  simple,  affectionate  trust  at  his  feet.  She 
waits  to  hear  the  instructions  which  he  will 
give  her.  She  goes  to  him  freely,  and  with- 
out fear.  She  hesitates  not,  doubts  not,  in 
obeying  the  guidance  which  she  has  received. 
And  she  finds,  as  the  result,  the  rest  she  asks. 
I  know  not  how  I  could  give  to  a  youthful 
inquirer  a  better  direction  than  this.  Mark 
where  Jesus,  your  great  Kinsman,  is  to  be 
found.  You  hear  of  him  in  his  Word.  You 
listen  there  to  the  story  of  his  triumphs  and 
his  mercies.  You  hear  of  his  death  for  you, 
and  his  acceptance  in  your  behalf  before  the 
Father's  throne.  It  is  with  the  ear  of  faith 
15* 


346  THE   EICH   KINSMAN. 

you  listen,  and  with  the  eye  of  faith  you  sea 
him  ;  with  the  heart  of  faith  you  are  to  go 
to  him.  It  is  with  you  no  outward  bodily 
journey,  but  the  inward  action  of  the  heart 
and  mind.  Behold  him  thus  a  triumphant 
Saviour  for  you ;  clothed  with  a  vesture 
dipped  in  blood,  as  the  accepted  sacrifice 
for  your  transgressions.  Go,  uncover  his  feet, 
and  lay  thee  down  there  with  perfect  free- 
dom.  Believe  and  feel  that  he  has  finished 
your  work,  and  that  his  rest  is  your  rest. 
Do  not  fear  that  he  will  reject  you.  Think 
not  that  he  will  be  displeased  at  the  con- 
fidence with  which  you  come,  as  if  it  were 
presumption.  There  is  no  presumption  in 
reposing  your  sinful  soul  at  the  feet  of  one 
who  has  lived  and  died  wholly  for  you.  Go 
with  unshrinking  confidence  and  trust,  and 
let  nothing  separate  you  from  his  love.  Go 
to  him  in  conscious  unworthiness  of  his 
mercy  ;  with  a  deep  sense  of  your  own  guilti- 
ness in  his  sight ;  but  with  an  affectionate 
dependence  on  his  mind  toward  you.     Doubt 


THE   PLACE   OF   REST.  347 

not,  but  earnestly  believe  that  he  really  loves 
yon  ;  that  he  has  truly  atoned  for  you  ;  that 
he  has  completely  redeemed  you ;  that  he 
has  freely  forgiven  you,  and  blotted  out  your 
transgressions,  and  will  no  more  remember 
your  sins.  Believe  all  this,  because  he  tells 
you  it  all,  over  and  over  again — in  every 
variety  of  testimony — in  his  Word.  Go, 
give  yourself  up  in  an  affectionate  dedication 
to  him ;  and  ask  his  gracious  and  unfailing 
protection  and  defense  as  your  Kinsman  and 
Kedeemer ;  and  allow  no  single  doubt  to 
rise  that  he  will  receive  you.  This  is  the 
work  of  his  Spirit  in  your  own  secret  heart. 
It  is  all  within  you.  It  is  a  transaction 
between  yourself  and  Jesus.  It  is  for  you 
to  do  it.  Others  can  only  aid  by  counsel 
and  guidance.  The  Holy  Spirit  must  lead 
you  alone,  in  the  silent,  secret  action  of  your 
own  heart,  when  the  world  may  be  all  asleep 
around  you,  and  no  earthly  companion  may 
know  the  experience  or  purpose  of  your  mind 
within.     Thus  go  to  the  feet  of  Jesus  and 


348  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

lay  you  down  with  perfect  confidence,  and 
with  a  fixed  determination  there  to  abide 
for  ever.  And  there  is  the  place  of  rest. 
And  thus,  in  the  simple  trusting  of  a 
believing  heart,  the  sinner  finds  the  rest  ho 
seeks. 

"  I  '11  go  to  Jesus,  though  my  sin 
Hath  like  a  mountain  rose ; 
I  know  his  courts,  I  '11  enter  in, 
Whatever  may  oppose. 

"  Prostrate  I  '11  lie  before  his  throne, 
And  there  my  guilt  confess ; 
I  '11  tell  him  I  'm  a  wretch  undone, 
Without  his  sovereign  grace." 

The  plea  of  Kuth  to  Boaz  is  a  perfect 
illustration  of  the  plea  with  which  you  must 
come  to  the  great  Saviour  of  your  soul.  She 
tells  him  her ' name.  "I  am  Kuth."  She 
acknowledges  her  lowliness  and  poverty.  She 
reminds  him  of  his  peculiar  relation  to  her. 
"  Thou  art  a  near  kinsman."  She  pleads  with 
him  humbly,  but  affectionately,  for  his  pro- 
tection and  defence.  "  Spread  therefore  thy 
skirt  over  thine  handmaid."  It  is  the  lan- 
guage of  deep  humility,  but  of  entire  con- 


THE   PLACE   OF    REST.  349 

fidence.     "  I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed, 
and  I  am  persuaded  that  he  will  keep  that 
which  I  have  committed  unto  him."    With 
just  such  a  plea  may  you  go  to  the  feet 
of  your  great  Kedeemer,  and  with  the  same 
success.     Does  he  ask  you,  "  Who  art  thou  ?" 
Tell  him  your  sinful  state  and    character. 
Acknowledge  before  him  your  poverty  and 
your    rebellion ;    your    corrupt    and    fallen 
nature,  and  your  thoughtless,  wasteful,  and 
disobedient  life.     Be   not   afraid  to   confess 
your    sins    before    him  freely  and    without 
reserve.    He  came  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  is  lost.     He  knows  how  completely 
lost  you  are,   and  he  would  have  you  feel 
it  and  know  it  too.    Your  plea  is  not  your 
penitence,  but  your  guilt ;  not  your  return, 
but    your    ruin.      "I    am    Ruth, '    not    an 
Israelite,  but  a  child  of  Moab.     I  have  no- 
thing.    I  have  done  nothing  that  is   good. 
I  can  do  nothing.    I  am  utterly  oppressed, 
Lord  undertake  for  me.     Thou  seest  that  I 
put  not  my  trust  in  any  thing  that  I  do, 


350  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

This  is  the  lowly,  self-renouncing  plea  of  con- 
scious poverty.  Say  not  more  than  you  feel. 
But  strive  to  feel  all  that  you  ought  to  say. 

Plead  with  Jesus  his  own  relation  to  you. 
He  is  a  near  kinsman,  the  qualified  and 
appointed  goel  for  your  sinful  soul.  He  has 
the  right  and  the  power  to  redeem  you. 
And  he  has  given  you  the  right  to  plead 
with  him  for  the  exercise  of  this  power.  You 
may  go  and  claim  from  him  the  offered  mani- 
festation of  his  own  grace,  and  the  fulfillment 
of  his  own  promises.  You  may  remind  him 
of  his  own  assumption  of  your  nature,  and 
his  dying  in  the  very  likeness,  and  under 
the  sorrows,  of  your  sinful  flesh,  that  he 
might  redeem  and  purchase  you  as  a  living 
sacrifice  for  himself.  "What  a  beautiful  illus- 
tration of  such  a  plea  our  Litany  gives  us  ! 
We  plead  with  him  there  to  deliver  us  by 
the  power  and  worth  of  his  own  incarnation, 
his  agony  and  bloody  sweat,  his  precious 
death,  his  glorious  resurrection.  We  remind 
him  of  these  as  the  evidences  of  his  kinsman- 


THE    PLACE   OF   REST.  351 

relation  to  us,  of  his  experience  of  our  need  ; 
and  we  beg  him  to  apply  their  worth  and 
influence  for  our  deliverance.  You  may 
plead  with  him  his  mighty  power.  He  is 
God  over  all,  able  to  save  unto  the  uttermost 
all  who  come  unto  him.  His  perfect  right- 
eousness has  been  accepted  for  you.  His 
triumphant  power  is  held  for  you.  He  is 
mighty  to  save.  None  who  come  unto  him 
can  be  cast  out.  He  has  given  you  this  right 
to  come,  and  no  one  will  be  permitted  to 
take  it  from  you.  You  may  plead  with  him 
his  true  and  unchangeable  Word,  his  precious 
promises,  upon  the  certainty  of  which  he  has 
caused  you  to  hope,  and  in  the  security  of 
which  you  place  your  trust.  Can  he  refuse  to 
hear,  or  to  fulfill  the  word  that  he  has  spoken  ? 

"  Lord,  if  ray  soul  was  then  beloved, 
0  love  me  always  to  the  end ; 
Let  not  thy  favor  be  removed, 
Eemain  my  everlasting  friend. 

"  I  know  the  Saviour  died  for  me, 
For  me,  that  Holy  Lamb  was  slain , 
In  him  I  claim  my  part  with  thee, 
His  precious  death  can  not  be  vain." 


352  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

Thus,  with  complete  self-renunciation,  but 
with  entire  faith  in  your  Kinsman's  sympathy 
and  power,  and  with  a  sure  confidence  in  the 
success  of  your  plea,  and  the  accomplishment 
of  his  Word,  you  may  come  to  Jesus,  and 
build  your  lowly  tabernacle  at  his  feet,  re- 
solved to  live  and  to  die  with  him.  Like 
Kuth,  your  petition  is,  "Spread  thy  skirt 
over  thy  handmaid,  for  thou  art  a  near  kins- 
man." Cover  me  with  thy  perfect  right- 
eousness, that  I  may  be  justified  in  thee. 
Overshadow  me  with  thy  divine  protection, 
that  I  may  be  guarded  by  thee.  Acknowl- 
edge me  as  thine,  that  I  may  rejoice  in  my 
everlasting  union  with  thee.  Be  thou  for 
me  in  judgment,  to  plead  my  cause,  and 
answer  the  accusations  against  me  ;  in  advo- 
cacy, to  intercede  in  my  behalf;  in  recom- 
pense, to  be  my  everlasting  portion  and  my 
soul's  salvation.  My  dear  young  friends,  make 
this  your  only,  constant  plea,  as  you  come  to 
a  Saviour's  feet.  Think  with  grateful  love 
of  the  value  of  his  work  for  you,  and  the 


THE   PLACE   CF   REST.  353 

peifect  sufficiency  of  his  grace  in  your  behalf. 
Let  nothing  interpose  to  keep  you  separate 
from  him,  or  to  awaken  an  unbelieving  dis- 
trust of  his  mind  toward  you.  Never  stop  to 
ask  whether  you  have  a  right  to  go  to  him. 
But  go  in  the  right  which  he  has  himself 
bestowed  upon  your  sinful  race.  He  calls  the 
lost,  and  you  are  lost.  He  saves  the  guilty, 
and  you  are  guilty.  He  heals  the  sick,  and 
you  are  sick.  He  consoles  the  wretched,  and 
you  are  wretched.  He  receiveth  sinners,  and 
you  are  sinners.  Go  to  him,  then,  as  if 
he  called  you  by  your  own  names,  and  say, 
"  Here  am  I,  for  thou  callest  me  \"  "  I  am 
Ruth."  I  am  lost,  poor,  wretched,  sinful. 
But  thou  art  my  near  kinsman.  Thou  hast 
been  made  sin  for  me,  that  I  might  be  made 
the  righteousness  of  God  in  thee.  Spread 
thy  skirt  over  me ;  and  hide  me,  0  my 
Saviour  hide,  till  the  storm  of  life  be  past. 

This  is  your  place  of  Eest.  And  it  is  rest 
for  ever.  How  many  myriads  of  the  lost  have 
proved  it  so  !    What  multitudes  in  glory  live 


354  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

to  witness  that  the  Lord  Jesus  freely  receives, 
fully  forgives,  and  everlastingly  saves,  all  who 
come  to  him.  None  who  trust  in  him  can  be 
forsaken.  A  youthful  Christian,  in  the  last 
hours  of  her  pilgrimage,  thus  expressed,  in 
lines  of  singular  beauty,  the  triumphant  con- 
fidence of  her  ransomed  soul : 


"Shed  not  a  tear  for  me, 
0,  weep  not  that  I  die ; 
I  am  where  I  would  be, 
In  perfect  peace  I  lie. 
A  Eefuge  I  have  found  through  grace, 
And  Jesus  is  my  Kesting-place. 

"  The  storms  of  life  are  o'er, 
The  conflict  soon  shall  cease, 
Doubts  interpose  no  more, 
Now  I  have  perfect  peace. 
This  Eefuge  I  have  found  through  grace, 
And  Jesus  is  my  Eesting-place. 

"His  precious  blood  was  shed 
Sin's  deadly  wound  to  heal; 
To  that  full  fountain  led, 
This  perfect  peace  I  feel. 
Its  Eefuge  I  have  found  through  grace, 
And  Jesus  is  my  Eesting-p  ace. 

"  Naught  else  have  I  to  plead, 
No  other  claim  to  show; 


THE    PLACE    OF    REST.  355 

In  Christ  is  all  I  need, 
His  perfect  peace  I  know. 
That  Eefuge  I  have  found  through  grace, 
And  Jesus  is  my  Resting-place. 

"No  painful  doubta  annoy  ; 
Jesus  is  ever  nigh; 
No  fears  disturb  my  joy, 
In  perfect  peace  I  die. 
This  Refuge  I  have  found  through  grace, 
And  Jesus  is  my  Resting-place, 

"  Shed  not  a  tear  for  me, 
Weep  not  that  I  am  gone, 
I  am  where  I  would  be, 
Before  my  Father's  throne. 
That  Eefuge  I  have  found  through  grace, 
Jesus  is  still  my  Kesting-place. 

This  was  the  spirit  and  the  choice  of  Kuth. 
This  may  be,  ought  to  be  yours.  She  found 
her  place  of  rest  at  her  kinsman's  feet.  Yours 
is  also  there.  In  simple,  happy  faith  she 
trusted  in  her  Saviour's  power.  "  Trust  ye  in 
the  Lord  for  ever,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is 
everlasting  strength." 


XVI. 

®Irt  |irst-|ruits  af  <§rm. 

And  he  said,  Blessed  be  thou  of  the  Lord,  my  daughter ;  for  thou  hast 
showed  more  kindness  at  the  latter  end  than  in  the  beginning; 
inasmuch  as  thou  followedst  not  young  men  whether  poor  or  rich. 
And  now  my  daughter,  fear  not;  I  will  do  to  thee  all  that  thou  re- 
quirest;  for  all  the  city  of  my  people  doth  know  that  thou  art  a  vir- 
tuous woman.  And  now  it  is  true  that  I  am  thy  near  kinsman ;  how- 
beit  there  is  a  kinsman  nearer  than  I.  Tarry  this  night,  and  it  shall 
be  in  the  morning,  that  if  he  will  perform  unto  thee  the  part  of  a 
kinsman,  well ;  let  him  do  the  kinsman's  part;  but  if  he  will  not  do 
the  part  of  a  kinsman  to  thee,  then  will  I  do  the  part  of  a  kinsman  to 
thee,  as  the  Lord  liveth :  lie  down  until  the  morning.  And  she  lay 
at  his  feet  until  the  morning;  and  she  rose  up  before  one  could  know 
another.  And  he  said,  Let  it  not  be  known  that  a  woman  came  into 
the  floor.  Also  he  said,  Bring  the  vail  that  thou  hast  upon  thee,  and 
hold  it.  And  when  she  held  it  he  measured  six  measures  of  barley, 
and  laid  it  on  her,  and  she  went  into  the  city.  And  when  she  came 
to  her  mother-in-law  she  said,  "Who  art  thou,  my  daughter?  And  she 
told  her  all  that  the  man  had  done  to  her.  And  she  said,  these  six 
measures  of  barley  gave  he  me ;  for  he  said  to  me,  Go  not  empty 
unto  thy  mother-in-law.  Then  said  she,  Sit  still  my  daughter,  until 
thou  know  how  the  matter  will  fall ;  for  the  man  will  not  be  in  rest 
until  he  have  finished  the  thing  this  day.— Euth  iii.  10-18. 

All  the  circumstances  of  this  history  are  so 
illustrative  of  the  mutual  relations  between 
the  Christian  and  his  Saviour,  that  I  hardly 


THE    FIRST-FRUITS   OF    GRACE.     357 

know  how  to  pass  so  lightly  over  them.  Yet 
our  reasonable  space  does  not  permit  me  to 
be  more  minute.  When  we  think  of  the  Sa- 
viour's feet  as  our  place  of  rest,  the  view  will 
not  be  confined  to  the  first  coming  of  the 
awakened  sinner  thither.  The  Christian 
loves  to  go  there,  and  to  be  there  to  the  end. 
He  would  every  day  follow  the  example  of 
Kuth,  and  seek  for  the  divine  anointing  and 
washing  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  he  may  go 
and  prove  the  condescending  kindness  of  his 
Lord.  He  would  constantly  beg  of  him  to 
spread  over  him  the  skirt  of  his  righteousness, 
and  the  garment  of  his  salvation ;  and  be- 
troth him  unto  himself  for  ever,  in  faithful- 
ness and  loving-kindness,  that  he  may  know 
him  to  be  his  Lord.  But  the  particular  view 
which  I  have  taken  of  this  history  here  has 
led  me  to  confine  my  illustrations  to  the  first 
coming  of  a  new-born  soul  to  the  Saviour's 
feet,  and  the  first  gracious  acceptance  of  such 
a  soul  in  the  freeness  and  fullness  of  his  love. 
And  with  this  selected   and  limited  view  I 


358  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

must  of  necessity  proceed.  The  passage  be- 
fore us  gives  a  copious  illustration  of  the  first- 
fruits  of  grace  to  the  accepted  soul.  Jesus 
welcomes,  blesses,  and  abundantly  rewards  all 
who  thus  come  unto  him. 

First  we  have  divine  approval.  Boaz  does 
not  reject  or  repel  the  lowly  suitor  at  his  feet. 
The  difference  in  their  outward  conditions 
was  great.  He  was  the  rich  master  of  the 
field,  and  she  the  poor,  beggared  wanderer, 
who  had  been  gleaning  from  his  bounty.  Yet 
he  neither  chides  her  boldness,  nor  reproaches 
her  with  her  sorrow,  nor  refuses  her  plea.  He 
listens  to  her  prayer  in  kindness.  He  invokes 
the  divine  blessing  upon  her  in  her  need.  He 
is  grateful  for  the  confidence  in  him  which 
she  has  displayed.  He  acknowledges  the  un- 
spotted excellence  of  her  character,  and  the 
purity  of  her  reputation  and  motives.  His 
whole  reception  of  her  is  encouraging  and 
affectionate,  and  another  illustration  of  that 
pure  and  elevated  dignity  which  can  conde- 
scend without  meanness,  and  can  maintain 


THE   FIRST-FRUITS   OF   GRACE.     &d 

its  own  stand  of  exalted  delicacy  without  an 
effort,  and  while  it  seems  to  have  forgotten 
and  disregarded  it.     And  how  his  whole  ad- 
dress to  her  illustrates  the  Saviour's  gracious 
approval  of  those  who  seek  him  !     When  the 
wearied  soul  comes  to  the  feet  of  Jesus,  this 
is  ever  the  welcome  of  approbation  which  it 
receives.    The  Saviour  takes  immediate  notice 
of  the  prayer  which  rises  up  before  him,  and 
answers  it  with  the  kindest  encouragement. 
Mothers  pressed  their  babes  upon  him  for  a 
blessing,  and  his  disciples  forbade  their  ap- 
parent presumption.     But  Jesus  said,  "  Suf- 
fer them  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them 
not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
Poor  sufferers  followed  him  in  the  crowd,  and 
cried  after  him  for  mercy.     Disciples  were 
annoyed  at  the  interruption,  and  said,  "  Send 
them  away."     But  Jesus  turned  to  them  with 
kindness,  and  heard  their  prayers,  and  dis- 
tributed the  blessings  which  they  severally 
needed.     This  is  his  course  with  all  who  really 
seek  him.     No   application  is  wearisome  to 


360  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

him.  And  no  sincere  and  humble  application 
can  be  offensive.  He  meets  you  with  divine 
approval.  You  may  bring  your  burden  to  his 
feet,  and  with  entire  confidence  cast  yourself 
upon  his  bounty  and  love.  And  he  will  wel- 
come you  with  a  gracious  smile.  His  own 
Spirit  will  minister  this  approval  to  your 
heart.  You  will  find  him  giving  a  secret 
peace.  Your  soul  will  have  comfort  and  rest. 
The  choice  you  have  made  will  seem  to  you  a 
happy  choice.  The  position  you  have  as- 
sumed will  be  found  a  place  of  defence  and 
tranquillity.  How  different  become  your  feel- 
ings toward  a  Saviour,  and  your  views  of  his 
character !  How  confidently  you  can  now  trust 
in  him,  and  feel  sure  that  he  loves  you  and 
blesses  you !  You  feared  to  come  in  your 
poverty,  and  with  the  vileness  of  your  sin. 
You  doubted  his  readiness  to  receive  you, 
and  whether  he  would  not  repel  you,  and 
drive  you  back.  You  feared  he  would  ask 
something  which  you  could  not  give  ;  and 
would  disregard  your  plea  of  absolute  need 


THE   FIRST-FRUITS   OF   GRACE.    361 

and  deep  distress.  But  how  your  fears  mis- 
represented his  gracious  mind  !  You  can  now 
look  up  to  him,  and  say,  "  Thou  knowest  that 
I  love  thee  ;"  and  with  equal  assurance,  "  I 
know  the  love  thou  hast  toward  me."  This 
divine  approval,  ministered  to  you  by  the 
Holy  Spirit,  renews  your  strength,  fills  you 
with  joy,  prepares  you  for  duty,  enables  you 
to  delight  in  his  commands,  and  sends  you 
forth  with  a  cheerful  spirit  to  do  his  will. 
You  are  freely  pardoned  ;  you  are  graciously 
accepted  ;  your  cares  and  fears  have  been  re- 
moved ;  the  Saviour  loves  you  and  has  heard 
your  prayer  ;  and  now,  you  have  nothing  to 
do  but  to  go  out  and  obey  him,  and  serve 
him  with  a  cheerful  heart,  and  with  newness 
and  freeness  of  spirit,  all  your  days.  What 
an  entire  change  of  mind  does  this  divine  ap- 
proval work !  It  makes  our  whole  course 
happy  and  free.  The  service  of  our  master 
becomes  our  delight.  "  All  the  work  we  do 
below  is  light  for  such  a  Lord."  Martha's 
mind,  cumbered  with  much  serving,  and  caTe- 
16 


362  THE    RICH    KINSMAN". 

ful  and  troubled  about  many  things,  gives 
place  to  Mary's  free  and  tranquil  mind  which 
delights  to  sit  at  a  Saviour's  feet,  and  hear 
his  words,  and  do  his  will,  and  look  forward, 
rejoicing,  to  his  glory. 

Boaz  next  illustrates  for  us  the  Divine 
Promises.  He  meets  the  full  requisition  of 
his  suppliant.  He  assures  her  that  all  her 
rights  shall  be  acknowledged,  her  claims  shall 
be  respected,  and  the  full  duties  of  her  goel, 
her  appointed  kinsman,  shall  be  performed. 
He  bids  her  to  exercise  perfect  faith  in  his 
word.  "  As  the  Lord  liveth,"  he  says,  "  I  will 
do  it ;  lie  down  until  the  morning."  What 
full  assurance  does  he  encourage  her  to  have 
in  his  promise  !  And  with  what  satisfied 
reliance  does  she  receive  his  promise,  and  re- 
pose upon  it !  Here  is  another  of  the  first- 
fruits  of  grace,  and  one  of  inestimable  worth. 
We  have  the  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises  which  the  Saviour  gives  to  his  chosen 
people,  and  the  faith  with  which  he  enables 
them,  to  rest  upon   them.     St.   Peter  says, 


THE   FIRST-FRUITS   OF   GRACE.     363 

"  His  divine  power  hath  given  unto  us  al] 
things  that  pertain  to  life  and  godliness, 
through  the  knowledge  of  him  ;  whereby  are 
given  unto  us  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises,  that  by  these  ye  might  be  partakers 
of  the  divine  nature/'  These  precious  promises 
which  the  divine  power  of  our  great  Kinsman 
so  freely  gives  us,  cover  all  the  necessities  of 
our  being  and  all  our  possible  happiness,  for 
time  and  for  eternity.  There  is  not  a  want 
which  the  Christian  feels,  for  which  there  is 
not  a  provision  promised  in  the  word  of  God. 
And  when  we  come  to  ask  his  mercy,  and 
lay  ourselves  at  his  feet  in  humble  dedication 
to  him,  the  Saviour  takes  all  our  concerns 
into  his  own  hands,  and  himself  promises  to 
provide  for  every  need.  To  strengthen  our 
faith  in  his  word,  he  confirms  it  with  an 
oath,  that  we  might  have  a  strong  consola- 
tion, who  have  fled  for  refuge,  to  lay  hold  of 
the  hope  which  he  has  set  before  us.  Like 
Boaz,  he  says,  "  I  will  surely  do  the  part  of  a 
kinsman  for  you/'    I  will  ransom  you  com- 


364  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

pletely.  I  will  restore  all  that  you  have 
lost.  I  will  make  full  satisfaction  for  your 
faults.  I  will  adopt  you  for  my  own.  I 
will  unite  you  unto  myself.  I  will  justify 
and  enrich  you  with  my  own  righteousness 
and  power.  I  will  renew  your  nature,  and 
prepare  you  for  an  inheritance  of  glory.  I 
will  restore  that  inheritance  to  you,  and  you 
shall  he  mine  for  ever.  These  are  precious 
promises  indeed.  You  may  make  a  catalogue 
of  human  wants,  and  then  you  may  go 
through  the  Scripture  and  place  opposite  to 
each  some  special  promise  particularly  de- 
signed for  its  relief.  And  all  these  are  now 
given  to  every  child  of  God.  They  are  the 
present  property  of  the  pardoned  sinner.  He 
goes  on  his  way,  not  uncertainly,  or  in  fear, 
but  under  the  bountiful  and  supreme  guid- 
ance and  protection,  of  one  who  has  assumed 
the  whole  care  of  him,  and  is  able  to  enrich 
him  with  everlasting  wealth.  My  dear  young 
friends,  you  may  always  consider  these  prom- 
ises as  your  own.     They  are   meant  for  you. 


THE    FIRST-FRUITS   OF   GRACE.     365 

Whenever  you  come  to  any  particular  trial  or 
crisis  of  your  life,  see  what  is  the  promise  which 
is  laid  up  for  you.  Believe  it.  Expect  its 
fulfillment.  Do  not  doubt  that  your  Blessed 
Lord  will  certainly  fulfill  it  to  you.  "He 
that  belie veth,  shall  not  make  haste  ;"  "  shall 
not  be  confounded  ;"  "  shall  not  be  ashamed.'** 
Lie  at  the  feet  of  your  gracious  Kinsman 
until  the  morning.  Through  the  whole  night 
of  this  dark  and  sinful  world,  repose  upon  his 
word  with  a  perfect  trust.  Be  sure  that  the 
heavens  and  the  earth  must  pass  away  sooner 
than  his  gracious  word  can  fail.  This  living, 
peaceful  faith,  he  will  certainly  bestow.  He 
will  enable  you  to  be  the  praise  of  his  glory, 
by  making  you  to  trust  in  him.  This  makes 
a  life  of  rest,  and  peace,  and  joyful  hope. 
And  as  we  think  of  his  promises,  and  medi- 
tate upon  his  word  in  our  night-watches,  we 
feel  that  these  precious  promises  are  indeed 
an  inestimable  gift  of  grace.  But  they  are  a 
free  gift,  a  gift  of  grace.  They  do  not  de- 
pend upon  our  character,  but  upon  the  truth 


366  THE    KICH    KINSMAN. 

of  his  word.  Our  reason  for  trusting  them, 
and  expecting  their  fulfillment,  is  not  our 
own  excellence  or  improvement,  but  the  cer- 
tainty and  faithfulness  of  the  Saviour's  word. 
Do  not  fall  into  the  snare  of  thinking  the 
promises  are  not  for  you.  Take  them  as 
blanks  which  the  Lord  hath  given  you. 
"Write  your  own  name  in  them.  Fill  them 
up  with  the  supply  you  need.  And  then 
carry  them  to  his  own  feet,  and  say,  "  Lord, 
this  is  the  word  in  which  thou  hast  caused 
me  to  trust.  Let  thy  word  be  fulfilled  to  thy 
servant.  Be  it  unto  me  according  to  thy 
word."  And  never  shall  you  find  the  promise 
fail,  or  your  faith  in  the  promise  to  be  in 
vain.  With  these  inestimable  treasures  of 
divine  approval,  and  divine  promises,  you 
shall  go  on  your  way,  enriched  and  full, 
and  rejoicing  in  the  lo\ing-kindness  of  the 
Lord. 

Another  of  the  first-fruits  of  grace  which 
we  find  in  this  illustration  is  the  bounty  of 
divine  gifts.     Boaz  not  only  promises  for  the 


THE    FIRST-FRUITS   OF   GRACE.     367 

future,  but  he  bestows  in  the  present.  He 
will  not  send  Euth  away  empty.  He  fills  her 
vail  with  as  much  barley  as  she  could  carry 
to  her  mother.  An  abundant  supply  for 
the  wants  of  both.  *  He  is  as  generous  in  the 
amount  of  his  liberality  as  he  is  delicate  and 
free  in  the  manner  of  its  bestowal.  Every 
new  exhibition  of  his  mind  and  feeling  in- 
creases the  admiration  which  his  whole  char- 
acter has  produced.  Thus  the  Saviour  richly 
and  freely  bestows  his  gifts  of  grace  upon 
those  who  love  him.  What  sweet  peace  he 
pours  into  the  conscience  in  the  assurance 
of  our  forgiveness  !  What  clear  light  he 
gives  to  the  understanding  of  his  whole 
method  of  salvation  and  scheme  of  truth ! 
What  solidity  he  bestows  upon  the  judgment, 
in  its  satisfaction  with  his  plans  revealed  ! 
What  joy  he  awakens  in  the  heart,  in  the 
hope  and  anticipation  of  his  final  glory ! 
What  firm  trust  he  imparts  in  the  certainty 
of  his  Word  of  promise  !  What  strength 
he  furnishes  for  actual  contest,  and  boldness 


368  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

in  the  day  of  battle  !  What  contentment 
and  quietness  he  gives  under  the  visitations 
of  distress  !  How  he  makes  our  whole  path 
a  path  of  increasing  light  and  abounding 
peace  !  These  are  his  constant  ministrations, 
his  daily  gifts  to  those  who  truly  believe  in 
him.  He  saves  us  now.  The  salvation  which 
he  bestows  is  not  a  mere  future  possible 
blessing.  It  is  an  actual  present  possession 
and  gift.  In  the  enjoyment  of  it  we  rejoice, 
as  partakers  of  a  heavenly  calling  and  a 
heavenly  treasure.  This  makes  our  religious 
life  a  happy  life.  We  find  the  service  of  God 
to  be  perfect  freedom.  It  becomes  our  de- 
light to  do  his  will,  and  his  law  is  written 
in  our  hearts. 

These  divine  gifts  are  by  no  means  equally 
enjoyed  by  all  who  truly  believe.  I  will  not 
say  even  that  they  can  be.  We  must  remem- 
ber and  acknowledge  the  absolute  sovereigu 
right  of  God  to  bestow  the  gifts  of  his  grace 
according  to  his  own  good  pleasure.  We 
have  no  rights  in  the  case.     What  he  gives 


THE    FIRST-FRUITS    OF    GRACE.     369 

he  givres  freely.  And  no  one  may  say  to  him, 
"  What  doest  thou  ?"  But  this  we  may  say, 
and  must  say,  that  all  our  religious  enjoyments 
will  be  in  proportion  to  the  reality  and  sim- 
plicity of  our  faith.  The  Saviour  still  habit- 
ually says,  "According  to  your  faith  be  it 
unto  you/'  If  we  wait  upon  him  we  renew 
our  strength.  In  him  we  are  never  strait- 
ened. The  more  diligently  and  truly  we 
wait  upon  him,  the  more  abundantly  will 
our  strength  be  renewed.  He  will  freely  say 
to  us,  like  Boaz  to  Kuth,  "Bring  the  vail 
that  thou  hast  upon  thee,  and  hold  it." 
Whatever  we  are  ready  to  receive  he  is  wait- 
ing to  bestow.  The  vail  of  Kuth  is  our  own 
simple  filial  faith  in  the  promises  and  power  of 
God.  With  such  a  faith,  we  go  from  our  com- 
munion with  him,  laden  with  his  bounties, 

But  the  illustration  from  the  vail  of  Kuth 
fails,  in  the  important  fact,  that  its  meas- 
ure was  fixed,  but  our  capacity  to  hold 
increases  with  our  receipts  of  the  divine 
bounty.  And  who  shall  tell  where  God'e 
16* 


370  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

gracious  tvillingness  to  bestow  shall  find 
its  limit.  As  faith  enlarges,  and  we  learn 
to  expect  large  things,  and  to  attempt 
large  things,  so  also  becomes  enlarged  the 
measure  of  grace  which  faith  receives. 
Every  divine  gift  is  thus  increasing  in  our 
possession  as  we  are  faithful  in  their  use. 
The  Saviour  gives  remarkable  promises  to 
our  faith.  It  can  remove  mountains  of  dif- 
ficulty. All  things  are  possible  to  him  that 
believeth.  And,  however  we  may  limit  such 
expressions  in  our  interpretation,  we  can  not 
refuse  to  recognize  the  great  principle  of  the 
divine  promise,  that  a  rich  abundance  of 
grace  is  always  ready  to  be  bestowed  upon 
the  exercise  of  our  simple  faith  in  God  our 
Saviour.  We  may  grow  in  grace  even  to 
the  end.  We  may  enter  into  the  city  of  our 
final  glory  at  last  with  triumph,  "having 
all  things  ours,"  because  we  are  Christ's. 
We  may  go  home  to  Zion  with  songs  and 
everlasting  joy  upon  our  heads ;  and  be 
gathered  in    our  full    age,   whether  we   bo 


THE   FIRST-FRUITS   OF   GRACE.     371 

}oung  or  old,  "like 'as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh 
in  in  his  season." 

0  try  to  have  it  so.  Be  covetous  of  divine 
gifts  in  this  more  excellent  way.  Stretch  out 
the'  vail  of  your  faith  and  your  desires  yet 
more  and  more,  that  you  may  receive  from 
the  Saviour's  fullness  grace  upon  grace,  and 
come  behind  in  no  gift.  Happy  will  be  your 
offerings  of  praise  at  last  for  all  these  boun- 
ties. With  what  delight  Kuth  recounted  to 
her  mother  the  rich  bounty  of  Boaz  !  And 
with  what  mutual  pleasure  they  dwelt  to- 
gether upon  his  increasing  kindness  to  them  ! 
Thus  will  your  happy  soul  be  employed. 
"  Eternity  too  short  to  utter  all  his  praise." 
And  in  the  ages  to  come,  with  the  multitude 
of  his  redeemed,  will  you  adore  his  goodness, 
which  had  compassion  on  you  when  you  were 
dead  in  your  sins,  which  enriched  you  with 
every  blessing  of  his  kingdom,  and  has 
crowned  you  at  the  last  in  everlasting  glory. 

The  history  before  us  illustrates  the  divine 
iidelity.    With  what  confidence  Naomi  trustf 


372  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

in  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  Boaz ! 
"  Sit  still,  my  daughter,  until  thou  know 
how  the  matter  will  fall ;  for  the  man  will 
not  be  in  rest  until  he  have  finished  the 
thing  this  day/'  The  result  proved  that  hei 
confidence  was  not  misplaced.  He  did  com- 
plete with  entire  success  the  work  of  protec- 
tion and  mercy  which  he  had  undertaken. 
It  is  upon  such  entire  fidelity  in  our  gracious 
Kinsman  that  we  are  required  to  place  oui 
trust.  "  Great  is  his  faithfulness."  "  His 
name  is  called  Faithful  and  True."  St. 
Paul  tells  the  Philippians  that  this  was  the 
very  thing  in  which  he  had  perfect  confidence 
— that  he  which  had  begun  a  good  work  in 
them  would  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus 
Christ.  He  tells  us  even  further,  that  it  is 
meet,  or  just  and  right  to  think  so.  We 
ought  to  have  this  confidence  in  the  faith- 
fulness of  a  divine  Saviour.  He  is  eminently 
worthy  of  it.  It  is  upon  this  that  he  com- 
mands and  causes  us  to  trust.  He  has 
undertaken  to  bring  his   people   to  e  tern  a  J 


THE   FIRST-FRUITS   OF    GRACE.     373 

glory ;  to  lead  the  sons  of  God  to  their 
everlasting  home  in  the  presence  of  their 
Father.  Whom  he  calls,  he  justifies  ;  and 
whom  he  justifies,  he  glorifies.  "  He  will  not 
be  in  rest  until  he  have  finished  this  thing." 
Jesus  is  as  desirous  of  our  salvation  as  we 
can  ever  be.  Do  I  say  as  desirous  ?  He  is 
far  more  anxious  for  it  than  we  can  conceive. 
How  he  bears  with  us,  and  contends  with  us, 
and  pities  us  in  our  individual  character, 
after  all  that  he  has  done  and  suffered  for  us 
in  his  own  flesh  on  the  earth !  Through 
what  trials  and  sorrows  he  goes,  enduring  the 
contradiction  of  sinners  against  himself,  in 
bringing  home  his  children  unto  eternal  life  ! 
When  you  read  the  seventeenth  chapter  of 
St.  John,  you  see  the  deep  concern  of  his  own 
spirit  for  the  salvation  of  his  flock.  He 
prays  that  they  may  be  kept ;  that  none  of 
them  may  be  lost ;  that  they  may  all  be 
permitted  to  see  his  glory.  Thus  he  ever 
liveth  to  make  intercession  for  them.  He 
promises  them  that  they  shall  never  perish. 


374  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

ind  no  one  shall  pluck  them  out  of  his  hand. 
This  faithfulness  of  Jesus  refers  to  his  whole 
ransomed  family,  and  personally  to  every 
individual  in  it.  It  is  the  great  source  of  our 
comfort  and  of  our  hope.  He  who  has  laid 
the  foundation  will  also  bring  forth  the  top- 
stone,  with  shoutings  of  Grace,  Grace  unto  it. 
In  this  fidelity  of  Christ  we  are  ever  to  con- 
fide. Our  simple  faith  is  to  be  still,  and 
know  that  he  is  God.  Like  the  Israelites  at 
the  Ked  Sea,  we  have  the  two  commands 
given  to  us,  "  Stand  still,  and  see  the  salva- 
tion of  God,"  and  "  Speak  unto  the  children 
of  Israel,  that  they  go  forward."  It  is  a  faith 
which  supports  us  in  duty,  but  does  not  min- 
ister to  our  indolence.  It  keeps  us  still  from 
complainings  and  fears.  But  it  does  not  keep 
us  still  from  effort  and  obedience.  It  leads 
us  to  look  forward  with  hope,  and,  however 
weak  or  opposed  we  may  be,  to  have  no  doubt 
that  he  who  has  undertaken  our  salvation 
will  assuredly  complete  it.  He  will  keep  us 
unto  life  eternaL    While  we  thus  confide  in 


THE    FIRST-FRUITS    OF    GRACE.      5bS. 

his  faithfulness,  we  are  able  to  serve  him  with- 
out fear,  in  holiness  and  righteousness  beforo 
him,  all  the  days  of  our  life.  It  is  this  faith 
which  gives  us  strength  in  the  day  of  battle, 
and  makes  us  more  than  conquerors  ovei 
every  enemy.  With  this  faith  was  Daniel 
cast  into  the  den  of  Jons,  "  and  no  manner 
of  hurt  was  found  upon  him,  because  he  be- 
lieved in  his  God."  With  this  faith  Daniel's 
companions  said  to  the  king  of  Babylon, 
"We  are  not  carpful  to  answer  thee  in  this 
matter ;  our  God,  whom  we  serve,  is  able  to 
deliver  us  from  the  burning,  fiery  furnace, 
and  he  will  deliver  us  out  of  thine  hand." 
And  over  their  bodies  the  fire  had  no  power, 
nor  was  an  hair  of  their  heads  singed.  This 
is  the  divine  fidelity.  We  go  forward  in  every 
appointed  path  of  duty  relying  upon  it.  No 
opposition  deters  us.  No  difficulties  discour- 
age us.  No  darkness  alarms  us.  No  disap- 
pointments depress  us.  No  delay  wearies  us. 
We  believe  in  the  faithful  Word  of  our  gra- 
cious Saviour,  and  are  at  rest.     We  do  not 


376  THE    KICH   KINSMAN. 

know  how  he  will  do  this  thing.  He  may 
have  many  plans  which  are  concealed  from 
us.  He  may  have  many  ohstacles  that  we 
know  not.  It  may  require  a  much  longer 
time,  and  a  much  more  circuitous  way  than 
we  at  first  suppose.  But  all  this  we  leave 
entirely  to  him.  Our  simple  determination  is 
to  abide  by  him,  to  cling  to  his  promise,  to 
do  his  will,  to  hope  unto  the  end,  not  to  be 
weary  in  well-doing,  and  to  leave  the  whole 
planning  and  direction  of  the  work  which  he 
has  undertaken,  entirely  to  himself.  We  will 
sit  still  in  our  appointed  sphere  of  duty,  until 
we  know  how  the  matter  will  fall.  We  have 
no  cares  or  wishes  about  that.  To  do  is  ours, 
to  direct  is  his.  "  The  work  to  be  performed 
is  ours,  the  strength  is  all  his  own."  Such  a 
mind  as  this  is  perfect  peace.  It  is  all  joy 
and  peace  in  believing.  It  is  without  careful- 
ness. It  is  careful  for  nothing.  It  is  kept  in 
the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  understand- 
ing. Try  to  gain  and  exercise  this  constant 
faith  in  your  great  Redeemer.     Look  up  with 


THE   FIRST-FRUITS   OF   GRACE.     377 

confidence  in  his  divine  fidelity.  Banish  your 
doubts  of  his  kindness  and  love  toward  you. 
And  while  you  are  diligent  and  fervent  in 
spirit  in  his  service,  learn  to  leave  all  your 
cares  and  all  your  wants  in  his  gracious 
hands,  sure  that  he  will  never  rest  until  he 
has  finished  the  great  and  glorious  work  he 
has  begun  for  you. 


XVII. 

rhen  'went  Boaz  np  to  the  gate,  and  sat  him  down  there :  and  behold 
the  kinsman  of  whom  Boaz  spake  came  by ;  unto  whom  he  said,  IIo, 
such-a-one !  turn  aside,  sit  down  here.  And  he  turned  aside,  and  sat 
down.  And  he  took  ten  men  of  the  elders  of  the  city,  and  said,  Sit 
«-e  down  here.  And  they  sat  down.  And  he  said  unto  the  kinsman, 
Naomi,  that  is  come  again  out  of  the  country  of  Moab,  sclleth  a  parcel 
of  land,  which  was  our  brother  Elimclech's :  and  I  thought  to  ad- 
vertise thee,  saying,  Buy  it  before  the  inhabitants,  and  before  the 
elders  of  my  people.  If  thou  wilt  redeem  it,  redeem  it :  but  if 
thou  wilt  not  redeem  it,  then  tell  me,  that  I  may  know :  for  there  is 
none  to  redeem  it  besides  thee ;  and  I  am  after  thee.  And  he  said,  I 
will  redeem  it  Then  said  Boaz,  What  day  thou  buyest  the  field  of 
the  hand  of  Naomi,  thou  must  buy  it  also  of  Kuth  the  Moabitess,  tho 
wife  of  the  dead,  to  raise  up  the  name  of  the  dead  upon  his  inherit- 
ance. And  the  kinsman  said,  I  can  not  redeem  it  for  myself,  lest  I 
mar  mine  own  inheritance :  redeem  thou  my  right  to  thyself;  for  I 
can  not  redeem  it  Now  this  was  the  manner  in  former  time  in 
Israel  concerning  redeeming  and  concerning  changing,  for  to  confirm 
all  things ;  a  man  plucked  off  his  shoe,  and  gave  it  to  his  neighbor : 
and  this  was  a  testimony  in  Israel.  Therefore  the  kinsman  said  unto 
Boaz,  Buy  it  for  thee.    So  he  drew  off  his  shoe. — Burn,  iv.  1-8. 

This  is  an  episode  in  the  history.  The 
personal  account  of  Kuth  is  left  for  a  mo- 
ment, to  bring  up  the  history  of  this  great 
affair  of  her  life,  to  the  point  where  she  was 


REDEMPTION   PROPOSED.  •  379 

to  appear  in  it  again.  Our  improvement  of  it 
will  take  us  away,  for  a  little  while,  from  the 
immediate  track  which  we  have  thus  far  fol- 
lowed, to  consider  in  itself  that  redemption, 
the  fruits  of  which  we  ourselves  enjoy.  I 
may  call  the  present  subject  Redemption  Pro- 
posed. It  is  a  simple  history  of  such  a  propo- 
sition, whether  made  by  Boaz,  as  goel  for 
Ruth,  or  made  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as 
goel  for  us.  The  Law  appointed  the  type  of 
the  goel.  The  history  of  Ruth  gives  an  in- 
stance of  a  single  observance  of  this  appoint- 
ment in  Israel.  Both  united  lead  us  to  that 
which  both  were  intended  to  illustrate  and 
teach,  the  actual,  eternal  redemption  of  a  pe- 
culiar people  from  among  the  lost  race  of 
Adam,  by  the  incarnation,  and  death,  and 
subsequent  triumphs,  of  the  only  begotten  Son 
of  God,  in  their  own  nature  and  for  them. 

I  may  describe  Redemption  to  you,  under 
the  terms  which  teachers  in  Theology  use,  as 
Proper  or  Improper.  Proper  Redemption 
is  the  legal  purchase  of  the  captive  to  be  re- 


380*  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

deemed,  by  the  payment  of  the  stipulated 
price.  It  gives  the  redeemer  the  full  right  to 
the  captive  whom  he  has  thus  purchased. 
But  the  captive,  though  thus  redeemed,  may 
be  unlawfully  held  in  bondage  still.  Im- 
proper redemption,  or  a  redemption  which 
ought  not  to  have  been  required,  is  the  rescue 
of  the  captive  by  force  from  unlawful  bond- 
age by  the  redeemer  who  has  already  pur- 
chased him.  In  both  of  these  views  does  the 
Son  of  God  become  our  Kedeemer.  He 
ransomed  us  not  with  corruptible  things,  as 
silver  and  gold,  but  with  his  own  precious 
blood,  as  a  Lamb  without  blemish  and  with- 
out spot.  We  are  bought  with  a  price.  But 
because  we  are  still  held  in  captivity  by  the 
enemy,  he  comes  with  the  mighty  power  of 
his  Spirit  and  plucks  the  prey  out  of  the  jaws 
of  the  oppressor.  He  is  thus,  in  both  senses, 
mighty  to  save — able  to  save  unto  the  utter- 
most. He  spoils  principalities  and  powers, 
and  lets  the  oppressed  go  free. 

If  we  carry  our  minds  back  to  the  time 


REDEMPTION     PROPOSED.  381 

when  our  redemption  was  future,  and  there 
see  what  our  Kedeemer  must  be  and  do,  in 
order  to  save  and  rescue  us,  the  history  before 
us  will  become  a  beautiful  illustration.  The 
Redeemer  must  be  our  kinsman.  He  must 
partake  of  our  nature.  Because  the  children 
whom  he  was  to  save  were  partakers  of  flesh 
and  blood,  he  must  also  himself  likewise 
take  part  of  the  same,  that  he  might  have 
the  right  to  redeem.  The  nature  that  sinned 
must  be  the  nature  to  suffer  and  to  triumph. 
And,  therefore,  the  Eedeemer  must  be  made 
flesh  like  us.  He  must  be  a  mighty  kins- 
man— able  to  bear  the  load  of  our  guilt,  to 
atone  for  our  transgressions,  to  complete  a 
perfect  and  spotless  obedience  ibr  us  ;  and 
to  rescue  us  from  the  bondage  in  which  we 
were  held,  sold  under  sin,  and  condemned  to 
death.  No  other  than  an  Almighty  Saviour 
could  meet  the  wants  of  our  lost  race.  He 
must  be  a  rich  and  perfectly  competent  kins- 
man. He  must  first  triumph  himself  in  the 
contest   which    he   should    undertake.     And 


382  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

then,  being  justified,  and  crowned,  and  ex- 
alted as  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  he  could  be 
able  to  bestow  his  gifts  upon  the  captive 
rebels  for  whom  he  came.  He  could  give 
them  repentance  and  forgiveness  of  sins.  He 
must  be  a  tender  and  loving  kinsman  ;  one 
who  could  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  the 
infirmities  of  his  people  ;  and  be  afflicted  in 
their  afflictions  ;  and  sympathize  in  all  their 
temptations  and  dangers.  He  must  be  in  all 
things  made  like  unto  his  brethren,  that  he 
might  be  a  merciful  and  faithful  kinsman  for 
them,  in  things  pertaining  to  God,  and  make 
reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  his  people.  This 
was  what  the  Redeemer  must  be,  to  become 
a  goel  for  us.  Such  a  goel  became  us — holy, 
harmless,  undefiled,  separate  from  sinners, 
higher  than  the  heavens — able  to  raise  up  for 
us  an  everlasting  salvation. 

When  he  should  appear  as  our  Redeemer, 
and  the  first-begotten  should  be  brought  into 
the  world  to  save  us,  he  must  ransom  our  per- 
sons from  condemnation,  and  from  our  bondage 


KEDEMPTION   PEOPOSED.  383 

in  death,  under  the  curse  of  the  holy  law  of 
God.  He  must  make  a  full  atonement,  and 
offer  a  perfect  and  sufficient  sacrifice  for  our 
sins,  that  he  might  magnify  this  holy  law, 
and  make  it  honorable.  He  must  be  made 
under  its  authority  and  fulfill  its  perfect 
righteousness,  that  he  might  redeem  us 
from  its  sentence  and  give  us  a  title  to  its 
reward.  By  his  righteousness  thus  offered, 
he  must  enable  God  to  be  just  and  yet  the 
justifier  of  all  who  believe  in  him.  He  must 
thus  buy  back  our  inheritance  which  had 
been  lost  by  our  sin,  through  the  worth 
of  his  own  obedience.  He  must  become 
possessed  of  that  eternal  life,  which  we  had 
lost,  and  be  able  to  bestow  it  again  upon  his 
impoverished  kin,  as  the  free  gift  of  his  own 
grace.  He  must  actually  give  it  back  to  them, 
as  his  own  free  gift,  and  reinstate  them  in  an 
inheritance  which  should  never  more  be  lost. 
He  must  apply  to  each  of  them,  by  his  own 
power,  for  their  individual  enjoyment  and 
possession,  this  great  and  wonderful  redemp- 


584  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

tion  which  he  had  accomplished  in  their  na- 
ture ;  and  thus  not  only  give  them  a  title  to 
eternal  life  in  his  own  obedience,  but  make 
them  actually,  in  their  obedience  to  him,  par- 
takers of  this  life,  and  meet  to  be  partakers 
of  the  inheritance  of  saints,  of  holy  ones,  in 
light ;  partakers  of  a  divine  nature,  and  heirs 
of  divine  glory. 

This  is  what  our  goel  must  be  and  do. 
And  this  is  what  the  Son  of  God  proposed  to 
be  and  do  for  us.  When  sacrifice  and  burnt- 
offerings  could  be  of  no  value,  this  great  Sa- 
viour said,  "Lo,  I  come  to  do  thy  will,  0 
God.  A  body  hast  thou  prepared  me."  And 
this  proposal  of  our  Kinsman,  Boaz  illus- 
trated in  the  portion  of  the  history  before  us. 
Boaz  went  up  publicly  to  the  gate,  the  chief 
place  of  concourse,  the  appointed  place  for 
conference,  where  men  spake  with  each  other 
in  the  settlement  of  their  controversies  and 
questions  of  business.  And  there,  in  the 
presence  of  the  elders  of  the  city,  he  made  his 
proposition  to  redeem  the  family  of  Elime- 


REDEMPTION   PEOPOSED.  385 

lech.  His  offer  of  redemption  was  perfectly 
legal  in  all  its  points,  according  to  the  com- 
mand and  will  of  God.  It  was  a  most  com- 
prehensive offer.  It  embraced  the  whole  con- 
dition of  Kuth  and  Naomi.  He  proposed  to 
"buy  back  all  that  was  Elmielech's,  and  all 
that  was  Chilion's  and  Mahlon's,  and  Kuth 
the  Moabitess  to  be  his  wife,  to  raise  up  the 
name  of  the  dead  upon  his  inheritance."  But 
there  was  another  kinsman,  in  nearer  relation 
to  this  family  than  himself,  who  had  the  first 
right  to  accomplish  this  redemption,  if  he 
were  willing  and  able.  And  Boaz  makes  the 
proposal  first  to  him  to  whom  of  right  it  first 
belonged.  "  And  he  said  unto  the  kinsman, 
Naomi,  that  is  come  again  out  of  the  country 
of  Moab,  selleth  a  parcel  of  land  which  was 
our  brother  ElinielechV  And  I  thought  to 
advertise  thee,  saying,  Buy  it  before  the  in- 
habitants, and  before  the  elders  of  my  people. 
If  thou  wilt  redeem  it,  redeem  it :  but  if  thou 
wilt  not  redeem  it,  then  tell  me,  that  I  may 
know :  for  there  is  none  to  redeem  it  besidea 
17 


386  THE   RICH    KINSMAN. 

thee  ;  and  I  am  after  thee.  And  he  said,  I 
will  redeem  it.  Then  said  Boaz,  What  day 
thou  buyest  the  field  of  the  hand  of  Naomi, 
thou  must  buy  it  also  of  Kuth  the  Moabitess, 
the  wife  of  the  dead,  to  raise  up  the  name  of 
the  dead  upon  his  inheritance.  And  the 
kinsman  said,  I  can  not  redeem  it  for  myself, 
lest  I  mar  mine  own  inheritance :  redeem  thou 
my  right  to  thyself ;  for  I  can  not  redeem  it. 
Now  this  was  the  manner  in  former  time  in 
Israel  concerning  redeeming  and  concern- 
ing changing,  for  to  confirm  all  things  ;  a 
man  plucked  off  his  shoe,  and  gave  it  to  his 
neighbor :  and  this  was  a  testimony  in  Is- 
rael." The  proposal  was  made  to  him  in 
vain.  He  could  not  assume  the  obligation. 
It  would  "  mar  his  own  inherit ance,"  and  he 
openly  refused  the  offer.  And,  according  to 
the  custom  of  Israel,  he  drew  off  his  shoe,  and 
handed  it  to  Boaz,  as  a  token  that  he  wished 
him  to  stand  in  his  place,  and  take  upon  him- 
self the  obligations  which  he  could  not 
fulfill. 


REDEMPTION    PROPOSED.  387 

How  completely  this  proposal  illustrates 
the  proposition  of  our  great  Eedeemer  in  our 
"behalf.  Thus  publicly  he  agreed;  in  the 
presence  of  the  angels  of  God,  to  make  him- 
self an  offering  for  sin.  Thus  legally  would 
he  fulfill  all  righteousness  for  man,  and  he 
made  under  the  law,  that  he  might  redeem 
those  who  were  under  the  law  from  the  bond- 
age of  its  condemnation.  Thus  perfectly  and 
completely  would  he  buy  back  all  that  man 
had  lost,  and  unite  unto  himself  the  nature 
which  had  sinned  and  fallen  ;  and  betroth  his 
redeemed  to  himself  in  an  everlasting  cov- 
enant, to  raise  up  the  name  of  the  race  which 
was  lost  and  dead  in  sin,  once  more  upon  their 
inheritance.  All  this  was  to  be  done.  And 
all  this  the  Son  of  God  would  do. 

But  angels  were  a  created  nature,  far 
nearer  in  relation  to  man.  Might  not  the 
proposition  be  made  to  them  ?  Would  they 
not  redeem  the  lost  ?  Ah,  willing  they  might 
be — we  doubt  not  they  were.  But  able  they 
could  never  be.     The  redemption  of  a  soul 


388  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

they  must  let  alone  for  ever.  Could  they 
stand  in  the  sinner's  place  ?  Could  they 
boldly  take  his  shoe,  and  meet  all  his  respons- 
ibilities ?  Could  they  ever  offer  a  free  and 
meritorious  obedience  for  others  ?  Was  not 
all  that  they  could  do  an  actual  obligation 
upon  them  now  ?  Could  they  suffer  and  die 
as  an  infinitely  valuable  sacrifice  for  sin  ? 
Could  a  creature  bear  an  infinite  load,  or  ac- 
complish a  work  which  required  almighty 
power  ?  Could  they  come  forth,  and  by  their 
own  might  die,  and  rise,  and  reign  in  man's 
stead,  and  for  man's  salvation  ?  No  !  Le- 
gions of  angels  were  incompetent  for  a  work 
like  this.  They  must  shrink  from  undertak- 
ing it.  They  would  "mar  their  own  inher- 
itance." They  would  destroy  themselves  in 
accomplishing  no  benefit  for  others.  The 
being  who  was  to  be  brought  into  this  world 
of  sin  as  man's  redeemer,  was  one  whom  all 
the  angels  of  God  worshipped,  and  to  whom 
angels,  authorities,  and  powers  were  made 
subject.     They  were  ministering  spirits,  sent 


REDEMPTION   PROPOSED.  389 

forth  to  minister  to  the  heirs  of  salvation, 
But  to  none  of  them  had  God  said  at  any 
time,  "  Thou  art  my  Son,  this  day  have  I  be- 
gotten thee  ;"  or  "  Thy  throne,  0  God,  is  for 
ever  and  ever  ;  the  scepter  of  thy  kingdom  is 
a  right  scepter."  They  must  all  refuse  a  work 
so  unexperienced,  so  incomprehensible  to 
them  as  the  redemption  of  lost  and  guilty 
man.  They  may  desire  to  look  into  it,  and 
to  understand  it.  But  they  could  never  un- 
dertake or  accomplish  it. 

The  Son  of  God  remained  alone.  His  own 
arm  must  bring  salvation.  His  righteousness 
must  sustain  him.  He  must  tread  the  winer 
press  alone,  and  travel  in  the  greatness  of  his 
own  strength  to  bring  forth  the  people  whom 
he  would  redeem.  Of  all  created  beings  there 
could  be  none  with  him  to  help  him  in  this 
work,  this  strange  work.  Then,  when  there 
was  no  intercessor,  and  no  arm  to  bring  sal- 
vation, he  said,  "Lo,  I  come."  He  was  con- 
tent to  do  the  will  of  God,  and  his  law  was  in 
his  heart.     Here  was  to  be  complete  redemp- 


390  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

tion.  He  would  take  the  shoe,  like  Boaz,  and 
acknowledge  the  obligation,  and  perform  the 
duties  of  which  it  was  the  token.  He  would 
stand  in  the  sinner's  place.  He  would  make 
himself  an  offering  in  his  stead.  He  would 
come  down  to  earth,  and  receive  a  body  which 
was  prepared  for  him.  He  would  become  a 
man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief. 
He  would  be  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  sin- 
ners, and  endure  their  reproach.  He  would 
make  his  soul  an  offering  for  their  sin,  in  ex- 
ceeding sorrow  even  unto  death.  He  would 
endure  the  cross  and  despise  the  shame,  for 
the  joy  that  was  set  before  him  of  redeeming 
to  himself  a  peculiar  people,  who  should  be 
holy,  and  arise  in  his  image,  and  be  to  his 
glory.  He  would  go  through  this  mighty  un- 
dertaking, and  come  forth  conquering  and  to 
conquer,  having  spoiled  principalities  and 
powers,  and  triumphed  openly  over  them  on 
the  cross.  He  would  see  a  seed,  the  travail 
of  his  soul,  in  whom  he  should  be  satisfied. 
He  would  have  a  redeemed  family  in  heaven 


REDEMPTION    PROPOSED.  891 

named  by  his  name,  clothed  with  the  gar- 
ments of  his  salvation,  covered  with  the  robe 
of  his  righteousness,  praising  the  loving-kind- 
ness of  the  Lord  for  ever,  and  dwelling  in  the 
courts  of  his  glory,  in  the  midst  of  whom  he 
would  set  up  his  throne,  and  over  whom  he 
would  reign  in  an  everlasting  kingdom.     This 
was  the  proposal  of  the  Son  of  God.     This 
was  the  great  covenant  of  redemption  which 
he   made  with  the  Father    and   the    Holy 
Ghost.     It  was  an  everlasting  covenant,  in  all 
things  well  ordered  and  sure,  and  was  con- 
firmed and  established  in  the  counsels  of  God 
never  to  be  broken. 

My  dear  young  friends,  this  was  our  Ke- 
demption  Proposed.  I  think  you  may  easily 
understand  the  subject  as  I  have  presented  it 
to  you,  though  it  is  the  greatest  and  the 
deepest  of  all  subjects.  God  the  Father  loved 
you,  and  gave  his  only-begotten  Son  to  die 
for  you,  that  you  should  not  perish,  but  have 
everlasting  life.  God  the  Son  loved  you,  and 
came  to  take  your  nature  and  your  burden 


392  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

upon  him,  that  lie  might  ransom  you  with  his 
own  precious  blood,  and  redeem  you  for  him- 
self for  ever.  God  the  Holy  Ghost  loved  you, 
and  became  the  willing  Comforter  for  you,  to 
lead  you  to  a  Saviour,  to  give  you  a  knowl- 
edge of  his  salvation,  and  to  create  your  souls 
anew  for  his  eternal  glory.  Herein  is  love. 
It  is  all  love,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  the 
love  of  God.  He  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  this 
great  love  wherewith  he  loved  us  when  we 
were  dead  in  sins. 

All  this  exercise  and  work  of  redeeming 
love  was  in  the  fullness  of  his  own  grace, 
without  any  connection  of  yours  with  it. 
Yes  ;  just  as  the  proposal  of  Boaz  was  with- 
out Kuth's  presence  or  knowledge — made  in 
her  absence,  while  she  was  with  her  mother 
at  home,  and  not  to  be  made  known  to  her 
until  it  was  completed — so  was  this  great 
proposal  of  the  Son  of  God  to  be  your  Kins- 
man, and  to  fulfill  for  you  all  the  Kinsman's 
obligations,  made  without  your  counsel  and 
accomplished  without  your  help. 


REDEMPTION   PROPOSED.  393 

This  is  the  unsearchable  riches'  of  grace. 
We  call  it  sovereign  grace.  It  ruled  over 
every  obstacle.  It  met  every  difficulty.  It 
submitted  to  no  restraint.  We  call  it  free 
grace.  It  is  extended  to  sinful  man  with 
no  conditions.  It  invites  him,  and  offers  its 
bounties  to  him  without  any  qualifications 
whatever.  It  announces  a  Kedemption  all 
complete,  and  begs  him  to  receive  and  to 
enjoy  it.  It  is  the  wonderful  manifestation 
of  the  love  of  God,  who  thus  proposed  and 
finished  every  thing  in  man's  redemption 
by  himself.  We  may  think  of  it,  and  wonder 
at  it,  and  try  to  understand  its  extent  and 
its  full  value,  its  motives  and  its  reasons 
of  choice  of  man,  and  of  us.  But  we  find 
at  last  we  have  always  to  say  with  our  blessed 
Lord  himself,  "Even  so,  Father,  for  so  it 
seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  Thus  God  has 
( chosen  to  redeem.  And  thus  he  has  chosen 
us  to  be  tlie  subjects  of  his  redemption. 

And  now  Jesus  comes  to  your  lowly  habit- 
ation to  tell  you  what  he  has  undertaken 
17* 


394  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

and  done  for  you.  He  says,  "Behold  1 
stand  at  the  door  and  knock  ;  if  any  man 
will  open  the  door,  I  will  come  into  him, 
and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with  me." 
"Open  to  me,  my  sister,  my  love,  for  my 
head  is  filled  with  dew,  and  my  locks  with 
the  drops  of  the  night/'  Here  is  the  great 
proposal  to  you.  Will  you  now  have  this 
Redeemer  to  be  your  Redeemer  ;  this  Christ 
to  be  your  Christ ;  this  Saviour  and  King  to 
be  your  Saviour  and  King  ?  He  is  come 
to  make  you  his  own  for  ever.  Will  you 
accept  his  offer — agree  to  be  his  bride — and 
go  in  with  him  to  the  marriage-supper  of  the 
Lamb  ?  He  asks  no  dowry  with  you.  He 
takes  you  as  you  are,  with  all  your  sin,  and 
all  your  ignorance,  and  all  your  poverty,  and 
himself  enriches  you  with  his  own  fine  gold, 
and  covers  you  with  his  white  raiment.  The 
thing  which  he  asks  of  you  is  your  cheerful, 
grateful  acceptance  of  his  rich  and  free  offers  ; 
your  delighted  and  cordial  entrance  into  a 
union  with  him  to  be  his  own  for  ever.    If 


REDEMPTION   PROPOSED.  395 

you  will  hear  his  voice  and  come  to  him, 
he  has  life  and  all  things,  to  be  bestowed 
upon  you  richly  and  freely  of  his  own  grace. 
You  shall  come  behind  in  no  gift.  You 
shall  be  straitened  in  no  supply.  He  will 
give  grace  and  glory,  and  no  good  thing 
will  he  withhold  from  you  if  you  are  willing 
to  lead  a  godly  life.  This  is  the  fullness 
of  his  grace  ;  his  proposal  for  you  ;  his  pro- 
posal to  you.  Hesitate  not  a  moment ;  and 
do  not  allow  him  to  plead  with  you  a  single 
time  in  vain 


XVIII. 

And  Boaz  said  unto  the  elders,  and  unto  all  tbc  people,  Ye  are  wife 
nesses  this  day,  that  I  have  bought  all  that  was  Elimelech's,  and  all 
that  was  Chilion's  and  Mahlon's,  of  the  hand  of  Naomi.  Moreover 
Ruth  the  Moabitess,  the  wife  of  Mahlon,  have  I  purchased  to  be  my 
wife,  to  raise  up  the  name  of  the  dead  upon  his  inheritance,  that  the 
name  of  the  dead  be  not  cut  off  from  among  his  brethren,  and  from 
the  gate  of  his  place:  ye  are  witnesses  this  day.  And  all  the  people 
that  were  in  the  gate,  and  the  elders,  said,  "We  are  witnesses.  The 
Lord  make  the  woman  that  is  come  into  thine  house  like  Eachcl  and 
like  Leah,  which  two  did  build  the  house  of  Israel:  and  do  thou 
worthily  in  Ephratah  and  be  famous  in  Beth-lehem:  and  let  thy 
house  be  like  the  house  of  Pharez,  whom  Tamar  bare  unto  Judah, 
of  the  seed  which  the  Lord  shall  give  theo  of  this  young  woman.— 
EiriH,  iv.  9-12. 

This  passage  "brings  to  our  view  the  great 
subject  of  the  Gospel  revelation, — Kedemp- 
tion  accomplished  in  the  death  and  resurrec- 
tion of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  human  flesh, 
for  guilty  man.  We  have  considered,  in  our 
last  chapter,  what  the  Son  of  God  proposed 
to  be  and  to  do  for  us.     This  was  the  divina 


REDEMPTION   ACCOMPLISHED.     397 

plan.  The  only  possible  plan  ;  for  such  a 
plan,  involving  so  much  humiliation  and 
sorrow  to  the  pure  and  holy  Son  of  God, 
surely  would  not  have  been  adopted  could 
any  other  scheme  have  availed  for  man's 
salvation.  But  when  no  other  offering  could 
be  sufficient,  when  there  could  be  salvation 
in  no  other,  and  no  other  name  could  be 
given  among  men  whereby  they  might  be 
saved,  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave 
his  only-begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  be» 
lieved  in  him  might  not  perish,  but  have 
everlasting  life.  God  spared  not  his  own  Son, 
but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  that  with 
him  also  he  might  freely  give  us  all  things. 

Boaz  took  his  kinsman's  shoe  as  a  simple 
but  solemn  token  of  the  agreement  which  he 
had  now  assumed.  He  called  all  the  inhabit- 
ants and  elders  of  his  city  to  witness  that  he 
acknowledged  all  this  responsibility,  and  was 
pledged  to  accomplish  the  redemption  which 
was  thus  described  and  undertaken.  The 
actual  accomplishment  of  the  work  now  de- 


398  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

pended  upon  the  ability  and  the  faithfulness 
of  Boaz.  Could  he,  and  would  he  do,  that 
which  he  had  thus  publicly  undertaken  ? 
Every  hope  involved  in  the  promised  trans-' 
action  depended  on  this.  He  had  pledged 
himself  to  meet  all  the  responsibilities  and 
obligations  of  the  case.  Every  thing  now 
rested  upon  his  power  and  his  truth. 

"Was  it  not  just  so,  with  the  hope  of  man, 
from  the  day  of  his  fall,  to  the  day  of  the 
Saviour's  manifestation  and  victory  ?  He 
had  undertaken  to  be  man's  Kedeemer. 
"The  seed  of  the  woman  shall  bruise  the 
serpent's  head/'  was  the  first  revelation  to 
man  of  this  fixed  and  acknowledged  purpose. 
This  was  the  first  pledge  of  human  hope — 
the  first  annunciation  that  the  Son  of  God 
had  taken  the  shoe  of  man,  and  would  stand 
in  his  place  and  meet  the  dangers  and  the 
wants  of  his  lost  condition.  It  was  a  trans- 
action already  completed  in  heaven.  The 
covenant  had  already  been  entered  into,  and 
established  there.    Angels  who  could  not  re- 


REDEMPTION   ACCOMPLISHED.     399 

deem,  had  been  the  witnesses  that  the  only- 
begotten  Son  had  undertaken  to  do  it.  The 
eternal  purpose  of  God,  which  he  pifrposed  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  was  made  known  unto 
the  principalities  and  powers  in  heavenly 
places.  And  he  created  all  things  by  Jesus 
Christ,  that  he  might  make  known  in  the 
Church  which  he  should  gather  among  men, 
the  manifold  wisdom  of  God.  Eedemption 
was  now  not  only  proposed — it  was  pledged 
and  promised.  And  the  pledge  and  promise 
were  revealed  to  man  for  whom  it  was  to  be 
accomplished. 

But  four  thousand  years  rolled  by  before  this 
pledge  and  promise  were  fulfilled.  The  whole 
of  the  inspired  Scriptures  of  the  Old  Testament 
are  occupied  with  the  description  of  this  prom- 
ised redemption.  It  makes  the  subject  of 
prophecies,  and  types,  and  histories,  through 
all  these  intervening  ages.  From  the  first  prom- 
ise to  Adam  and  Eve,  which  told  the  whole 
fact,  in  a  few  comprehensive  words,  every 
generation  of  believers  rested  upon  the  cer- 


400  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

tainty  of  this  hope,  and  were  encouraged  with 
new  and  additional  descriptions  of  the  par- 
ticular facts,  which  were  to  make  up  the  parts 
and  circumstances  of  this  great  redemption. 
You  may  read  through  these  sacred  Scrip- 
tures, and  trace  the  increasing  minuteness  of 
their  predictions  of  the  Saviour's  work.  He 
was  to  be  the  Son  of  Adam,  of  Abraham,  of 
Jacob,  of  Judah,  of  David.  He  was  to  appear 
on  the  earth,  to  be  born  in  Bethlehem,  to  be 
a  resident  of  Nazareth,  to  be  homeless  and  a 
wanderer,  to  be  crucified  on  Mount  Moriah. 
He  was  to  be  a  man,  the  Son  of  a  virgin,  with- 
out an  earthly  father — a  sufferer  and  poor,  per- 
secuted and  rejected,  despised  by  the  race  and 
nation  whose  name  and  nature  he  assumed, 
and  cast  out  with  condemned  transgressors  to 
die  as  a  degraded  and  accursed  man.  He  was 
to  be  unnoticed,  without  commanding  appear- 
ance— meek,  gentle,  and  lowly  in  his  spirit, 
unresisting  to  evil,  and  unavenging  of  crimes 
committed  against  himself.  He  was  to  ap- 
pear when  Palestine  should  be  a  province  of 


REDEMPTION   ACCOMPLISHED.     401 

the  heathen,  and  Judah  should  be  serving 
under  foreign  bondage  ;  to  be  accused  and 
delivered  to  death  by  Jews,  and  yet  to  suffer 
a  death  which  none  but  Gentiles  inflicted. 
He  was  to  be  betrayed  by  the  very  persons 
who  professed  to  follow  him,  and  sold  for  the 
price  of  a  slave,  by  a  man  who  should  break 
bread  with  him  at  his  table,  on  the  very  night 
of  his  betrayal.  He  was  to  come  with  no  mani- 
festation of  outward  glory,  riding  once  upon 
an  ass's  colt,  his  highest  human  triumph, 
and  yet  performing  the  most  wonderful  mira- 
cles ;  speaking  in  resistless  words  of  authority 
to  men  and  devils  and  the  dumb  works  of  crea- 
tion, rising  from  the  dead  in  a  new  life,  rais- 
ing others  also  from  the  grave,  and  gathering 
a  people  in  the  midst  of  the  utmost  contempt 
and  persecution,  who  should  appear  like  the 
waving  glory  of  Lebanon  in  contrast  with  a 
handful  of  barley  growing  upon  the  mount- 
ains, Though  he  should  be  cast  out  in  death 
with  the  wicked,  the  rich  would  furnish  him  a 
sepulcher,  angels  would  adorn  and  honor  his 


102  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

resurrection,  the  whole  world  should  be  blessed 
in  him,  and  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  should 
call  him  blessed.  He  should  be  a  despised 
aud  undesired  man,  and  yet  he  was  God  over 
all,  whose  throne  is  for  ever  and  ever.  Men 
should  themselves  put  him  to  death,  and  yet 
his  death  should  open  a  fountain  of  mercy 
and  salvation,  in  which  the  very  men  who 
killed  him  might  themselves  find  pardon  and 
life  eternal. 

These  are  a  few  gathered  circumstances 
of  this  promised  redemption  which  the  un- 
rolling language  of  divine  prophecy  made 
known  to  the  sons  of  men  during  this  inter- 
vening period  between  the  Saviour's  assump- 
tion of  the  covenant  to  redeem,  and  his 
fulfillment  of  the  pledge  which  he  had  thus 
given.  But  during  all  this  time,  upon 
what  did  the  hope  of  man  rest,  save  upon 
the  power  and  truth  of  the  Son  of  God  ? 
Could  he,  and  would  he  fulfill  the  wonderful 
promises  which  he  had  given,  and  upon 
which  he  had   caused  his   people    to  place 


REDEMPTION   ACCOMPLISHED.     403 

their  trust  ?  The  history  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment answers  this  all-important  question, 
These  sacred  Scriptures  reveal  the  facts  of 
redemption  accomplished  ;  the  work  under- 
taken completely  finished ;  the  fidelity  of 
the  Kinsman-redeemer  gloriously  established  ; 
and  his  Almighty  power  triumphantly  made 
known.  This  is  now  the  great  message  of 
the  Gospel  to  guilty  man.  It  proclaims 
this  accomplished  work,  and  it  begs  man  to 
accept  and  enjoy  the  blessings  which  are 
offered  in  it  freely  and  without  price.  Its 
great  doctrine  is  the  one  great  fact  of  com- 
plete redemption  in  the  death  and  resurrec- 
tion of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  thus 
raised  up  a  mighty  salvation  according  to  his 
word.  "  I  have  blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud 
thy  transgressions ;  return  unto  me,  for  I 
have  redeemed  thee.  Sing  0  ye  heavens,  for 
the  Lord  hath  done  it ;  shout  ye  lower  parts 
of  the  earth ;  break  forth  into  singing,  ye 
mountains,  0  forest,  and  every  tree  therein ; 
for    the  Lord  hath    redeemed    Jacob,   and 


404    .  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

glorified  himself  in  Israel."  This  is  our  great 
doctrine,  our  glorious  message, — complete 
salvation  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great 
Goel  for  man,  the  Kinsman-redeemer  of  the 
guilty — perfected  by  his  own  merit — and 
offered  freely  through  his  own  grace ;  in 
which,  sins  like  scarlet  and  like  crimson  may 
be  made  white  like  snow  and  wool — the 
nakedness  of  man  may  be  eternally  covered — 
the  poverty  of  man  everlastingly  enriched — 
and  the  ruin  and  weakness  of  man  gloriously 
restored.  When  the  Lord  Jesus  arose  from 
the  dead,  the  redemption  of  his  people  was 
finished.  He  was  declared  to  be  the  Son  of 
God  with  power.  A  door  was  opened  in 
heaven  for  lost  and  guilty  man.  God  could 
justify  those  who  were  in  themselves  ungodly, 
and  save  those  who,  in  their  own  condition, 
were  wholly  condemned.  And  then,  in  his 
glorious  ascension,  the  Saviour  who  had  thus 
overcome  according  to  his  promise,  fulfilled 
the  pledge  which  he  had  given,  and  finished 
the  work  which  he  had  undertaken,  sat  down 


REDEMPTION   ACCOMPLISHED.     405 

on  his  throne,  henceforth  expecting  till  his 
enemies  be  made  his  footstool. 

Like  Boaz,  Jesus  had  bought  back  the 
whole  inheritance  for  man.  All  that  was  lost 
in  the  first  Adam  is  restored  by  the  second. 
The  Kedeemer  himself  now  owns  the  inherit- 
ance which  he  has  purchased.  That  which 
was  Elimelech's  is  now  the  property  of  Boaz. 
That  which  was  man's,  and  to  be  in  the 
reward  of  man's  obedience,  is  now  Christ's, 
and  only  to  be  had  in  the  freeness  and  full- 
ness of  his  gift.  It  is  his  own  inheritance, 
and  he  bestows  it  upon  his  people  according 
to  his  will ;  according  to  the  measure  of  the 
gift  of  Christ.  We  have  every  thing  in  him. 
Without  him  we  have  nothing.  He  has 
bought  back  man  also  for  himself.  His 
chosen  flock  are  his  purchased  possession,  and 
are  to  be  to  the  praise  of  his  glory  for  ever. 
They  are  completely  redeemed,  and  shall 
never  perish.  There  is  no  more  condemna- 
tion to  those  who  are  in  Christ  Jesus.  All 
things  are  theirs.     They  walk  not  according 


406  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

to  the  flesh,  "but  according  to  the  Spirit.  Le.i 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  Sons  of 
God.  They  are  the  heirs  of  God,  and  joint- 
heirs  with  Christ.  They  have  passed  from 
death  unto  life.  And  no  one  can  pluck  them 
out  of  their  Father's  hand.  His  gracious 
message  to  them  all  is,  "Fear  not,  little 
flock ;  it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to 
give  you  the  kingdom." 

But  the  people  of  Bethlehem  were  not 
merely  the  witnesses  of  this  covenant  of  Boaz. 
They  were  partakers  of  his  joy.  They  united 
in  their  supplications  for  abundant  blessings 
upon  the  noble  and  exalted  plan  which 
Boaz  had  proclaimed.  "  The  Lord  make  the 
woman  that  is  come  into  thine  house  like 
Rachel  and  like  Leah,  which  two  did  build 
the  house  of  Israel ;  and  do  thou  worthily 
in  Ephratah,  and  be  famous  in  Bethlehem." 
Well  was  their  grateful  prayer  fulfilled  ;  a 
ihousand-fold  beyond  what  they  could  have 
imagined.  Had  they  known  the  divine  pur- 
poses, might  they  not  have  exclaimed  with 


REDEMPTION   ACCOMPLISHED.     401 

Elizabeth,  "  Whence  is  this,  that  the  mother 
of  our  Lord  hath  come  unto  us  ?"■  Kutt  was 
to  be  in  the  appointed  line  of  the  mothers  of 
the  Lord's  Christ.  Bethlehem  would  have 
rung  with  triumphs  of  joy  around  her  redemp- 
tion and  marriage  by  her  exalted  goel,  if  this 
great  fact  could  have  been  made  known  to 
them. 

But  angels,  the  witnesses  of  the  covenant 
of  our  Kedeemer,  were  more  than  silent  wit- 
nesses also.  "When  the  foundation  of  this 
wonderful  work  was  laid  in  the  divine  cov- 
enant, these  morning  stars  sang  together,  and 
all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy.  When 
the  Saviour  appeared  as  a  babe  in  Bethlehem, 
they  filled  the  heavens  with  their  songs  of 
praise  and  prayer.  "Glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men/' 
When  he  was  traveling  in  the  greatness  of 
his  strength,  beneath  his  load  of  sorrow 
Dn  the  earth,  they  ministered  to  him,  and 
strengthened  him  for  his  work.  When  he 
had  finished  his  conflict  in  victory,  and  was 


408  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

declared  a  conqueror  over  all  his  foes,  they 
rolled  the  stone  from  his  sepulcher,  and  at- 
tended him  in  his  glorious  ascension,  shouting 
in  the  prophetic  language  of  triumph,  "  Lift, 
up  your  heads,  0  ye  gates  ;  and  be  ye  lifted 
up,  ye  everlasting  doors,  and  the  King  of 
glory  shall  come  in  ;  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  even 
the  Lord  mighty  in  battle."  When  sinners 
hear  his  message,  and  return  repenting,  to 
seek  their  life  in  him,  these  heavenly  wit- 
nesses rejoice  again  before  the  Father's  throne. 
The  Saviour's  little  ones  they  love  to  pro- 
tect, and  are  glad  to  minister  to  the  heirs 
of  his  salvation.  When  redeemed  saints  are 
safely  brought  to  see  his  glory,  they  carry 
them  home  in  their  arms,  surround  them  in 
an  innumerable  company,  and  delight  to  join 
in  and  to  second  their  songs  of  praise.  When 
he  shall  gather  in  his  whole  elect  they  will  be 
the  Saviour's  glorified  ministers  in  that  day 
of  his  power.  And  when  the  multitude  of  his 
redeemed  are  collected  in  triumph,  and  his 
kingdom  is  brought  out  in  its  glory,  these 


REDEMPTION    ACCOMPLISHED.     409 

heavenlv  messengers  will  unite  in  everlasting 
praise  over  the  con^lete  aehievement  of  his 
promised  work.  Then  will  there  be  a  mean- 
ing indeed  to  "  doing  worthily  in  Ephratah, 
and  being  famous  in  Bethlehem."  Then  will 
the  joy  of  angels  be  full — the  hope  of  saints 
complete — the  ruin  of  man  restored — the  cov- 
enant of  the  Son  of  God  perfected — and  God 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  for 
ever  glorified  in  a  proposed  Kedemption  com- 
pletely accomplished,  for  sinners  who  were  im- 
poverished and  lost  under  the  burden  of  inex- 
tricable guilt. 

My  young  friends,  what  a  view  is  this  of 
the  interest  which  is  felt  for  you  by  beings 
whom  you  do  not  and  can  not  see  !  How  it 
displays  the  vast  importance  and  worth  of 
this  great  salvation  which  is  so  freely  brought 
to  you !  How  it  manifests  the  strong  and 
clear  foundation  which  has  been  laid  for  your 
hope,  in  the  power  and  work  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ !  Why  should  you  not  always 
rejoice  in  the  happiness  of  this  blessed  hope  ? 
18 


410  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

Why  should  you  ever  hesitate  for  a  moment 
in  accepting  the  full  salvation  which  it  pre- 
sents to  you?  Your  redemption  is  accom- 
plished, perfectly  accomplished.  The  prison 
doors  are  open.  The  captive  may  go  free. 
Arise  quickly,  the  Master  calleth  thee.  You 
have  nothing  else  to  do  but  in  simple,  affec- 
tionate faith,  in  the  love,  and  power,  and  fin- 
ished work  of  your  gracious  Kinsman,  to  em- 
brace his  promises,  rejoice  in  the  consolation 
which  they  bring  you,  and  be  happy  for  ever- 
more in  his  service,  and  in  fellowship  with 
him.  0  do  it  now  !  Delay  no  longer  your 
complete  agreement  to  bo  Christ's  for  ever. 

u  Hasten,  sinner,  to  be  wise, 

Stay  not  for  the  morrow's  sun ; 
Wisdom,  if  you  still  despise, 
Harder  is  it  to  bo  won. 


11  Hasten,  sinner,  to  be  blest, 

Stay  not  for  the  morrow's  sun; 
Lest  perdition  thee  arrest, 
Ere  the  morrow  is  begun. " 


XIX. 

go  Boaz  took  Ruth,  aud  she  wa9  his  wife:  and  when  he  went  in  tint* 
her  the  Lord  gave  her  conception,  and  she  bare  a  son.  And  the 
women  said  unto  Naomi,  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  which  hath  not  left  theo 
this  day  without  a  kinsman,  that  his  name  may  be  famous  in  Israel. 
And  he  shall  be  unto  thee  a  restorer  of  thy  life,  and  a  nourisher  of 
thine  old  age :  for  thy  daughter-in-law,  which  loveth  thee,  which  is 
better  to  thee  than  seven  sons,  hath  borne  him.  And  Naomi  took 
the  child,  and  laid  it  in  her  bosom,  and  became  nurse  unto  it.  And 
the  women  her  neighbors  gave  it  a  name,  saying,  There  is  a  son  born 
to  Naomi,  and  they  called  his  name  Obed :  he  is  the  father  of  Jesse, 
the  father  of  David.— Ruth,  iv.  13-17. 

This  passage  brings  out  the  conclusion  of 
the  beautiful  history  we  have  been  contem- 
plating. From  Eedemption  Proposed,  Prom- 
ised, and  Accomplished,  we  have  now  the 
completion  of  the  story  in  Eedemption  actu- 
ally applied.  From  his  interview  with  the 
other  kinsman,  and  his  assumption  of  the 
pledge  to  perform  the  part  of  goel  for  Kuth, 
Boaz  goes  to  make  her  acquainted  with  the 


412  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

accomplishment  of  his  promise,  and  to  put 
her  in  possession  of  the  estate  and  relations 
which  he  had  thus  obtained  for  her.  His 
gracious  proposal  to  her  results  in  the  eleva- 
tion of  the  poor  gleaner  in  his  fields,  to  he  the 
bride  of  the  lord  of  the  harvest,  the  glean- 
ings of  which  had  before  been  such  a  treasure 
to  her.  Kuth  becomes  the  wife  of  Boaz,  and 
the  mother  of  a  line  of  princes  distinguished 
in  the  exaltation  of  their  day.  But  what  was 
a  far  greater  honor,  she  is  thus,  as  the  ances- 
tor of  David,  made  also  the  ancestor  of  that  * 
great  Son  of  David,  to  whom  it  is  to  be  given 
to  sit  on  the  throne  of  his  father  David,  and 
to  reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever,  and 
of  whose  kingdom  there  shall  be  no  end. 
Ruth  is  herself  thus  personally  exalted  and 
enriched.  She  has  received  the  blessing  from 
the  Lord  under  whose  wings  she  had  come  to 
trust.  Her  sorrows  and  her  poverty  have 
passed  away.  The  gracious  providence  of 
God  has  been  vindicated  in  his  dealings  with 
her.     Her  personal  virtue  and  obedience  are 


REDEMPTION   APPLIED.  413 

more  than  recompensed  in  the  advantages  of 
her  new  condition.  Her  affectionate  heart  is 
gratified  in  her  ability  to  protect  and  comfort 
her  beloved  mother  in  her  age.  Her  generous 
and  grateful  spirit  is  refreshed  with  abundant 
means  of  benevolence  to  others  who  may  be 
poor  and  dependent  as  she  was  before.  She 
looks  back  upon  the  way  through  which  God 
has  led  her  with  unfeigned  praise.  Every 
view  of  the  distant  mountains  of  Moab  will 
awaken  new  thankfulness  for  the  mercy  which 
brought  her  from  the  darkness  and  misery  of 
that  land  of  idols.  Every  gleaner  in  the  har- 
vest-fields of  Judah  will  call  her  soul  to  new 
and  more  humble  acknowledgments  of  thanks- 
giving to  him  who  was  so  gracious  to  her 
lonely  poverty  as  a  widowed  Moabitess.  Her 
whole  condition  shows  how  truly  "light  is 
sown  for  the  righteous,  and  joyful  gladness  for 
the  upright  in  heart."  How  "blessed  are 
they  who  have  the  Lord  for  their  God  !" 

God  graciously  gives  her  a  son,  over  whose 
birth  her  friends    rejoice  with  a  prophetic 


414  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

congratulation.  He  should  not  only  be  per- 
sonally a  restorer  of  the  prospects  of  life  to  a 
family  that  was  considered  dead,  and  was 
forgotten,  and  the  nourisher  of  the  old  age  of 
a  faithful  widow,  who  supposed  her  pleasant 
days  had  all  passed,  merged  in  a  cloud  of  bit- 
terness for  her  latter  end.  But  his  name 
should  also  be  famous  in  Israel.  And  famous 
it  did  become.  For  but  a  single  generation 
passed  beyond  him,  before  his  shepherd 
grandson,  the  man  beloved  after  God's  own 
heart,  ascended  the  throne  of  Israel,  and  es- 
tablished a  kingdom  not  only  great  in  itself, 
but  giving  a  name  and  a  type  for  another 
kingdom  to  be  ruled  by  the  great  offspring  of 
David,  that  shall  be  of  incomparable  majesty, 
and  shall  never  pass  away. 

Thus  the  divine  ordinance  of  the  Kinsman- 
Kedeemer  was  completely  illustrated  in  the 
history  of  Boaz  the  rich  kinsman  of  Ruth. 
And  thus  the  history  unites  with  the  legal 
type,  to  proclaim  to  us  the  fullness,  the  love, 
the  fidelity,  and  the  triumphant  work  of  the 


REDEMPTION   APPLIED.  415 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  our  divine  Goel,  our  great 
Kinsman-Bedeemer,  who  is,  in  one  person, 
Perfect  God  and  Perfect  man — ransoming  us 
by  his  death  in  the  flesh,  and  reigning  ovei 
us  in  his  everlasting  life  in  glory. 

The  whole  object  of  the  sacred  Scripture  is 
the  spiritual  instruction  of  the  children  of 
God  through  all  ages  The  ordinances  and 
histories  of  the  earlier  dispensations  were 
types  and  figures  of  great  truths  which  are 
openly  and  freely  declared  to  us  in  the  later 
one.  "  These  things  happened  unto  them  for 
ensamples  or  figures,  and  they  are  written 
for  our  admonition,  upon  whom  the  ends  of 
the  world  are  come."  Each  history,  and  every 
ordinance  of  the  Old  Testament  has  its  pe- 
culiar purpose  of  illustration  of  permanent 
Gospel  truth.  It  is  our  privilege  to  study 
them  with  this  reflected  Gospel  light.  The 
New  Testament  gives  us  principles  of  study 
in  many  selected  illustrations  which  are  there 
brought  forth.  And  we  are  encouraged  to 
pursue  a  similar  study  of  all  the  things  which 


416  THE    EICH    KINSMAN. 

were  spoken  in  former  ages  in  parables;  but 
which  are  now  thus  clearly  made  known  to 
us,  to  whom  it  has  been  given  to  know,  in 
the  clear  intelligence  of  the  Gospel,  the  mys- 
teries of  the  Kingdom  of  God.  The  word  of 
the  Lord  abide th  for  ever. 

Thus  have  I  endeavored  to  carry  you 
through  the  study  of  Kuth — following  that 
which  seems  to  me  the  plainest  line  of  direc- 
tion in  reference  to  the  instruction  it  is  in- 
tended to  convey  ;  and  making  use  of  no  ex- 
travagance of  imagination  for  the  purpose  of 
bringing  out  more  secret  truths.  It  is  a  clear 
and  interesting  illustration  of  cur  great  spirit- 
ual Kedemption ;  redemption  from  sinful 
wandering,  loss,  and  captive  poverty ;  re- 
demption which  brings  us  back  in  a  return  .to 
God  in  conscious  need,  and  with  cincere  ac- 
knowledgment of  our  guilt ;  redemption  which 
implies,  in  our  appointed  Goel,  nearness  of  re- 
lation, tenderness  of  sympathy,  generous  will- 
ingness in  its  exercise,  and  abundant  wealth 
and  power  to  meet  the  demands  which  it  will 


REDEMPTION    APPLIED.  417 

necessarily  make  ;  redemption  which  will  be 
manifested  to  its  objects  in  a  kind  acknowl- 
edgment of  them,  a  complete  restoration,  an 
affectionate  adoption,  a  faithful  union  of  their 
interests  and  hopes  with  their  divine  Ke- 
deemer,  in  an  established  and  abiding  ex- 
altation ;  redemption  which  will  leave  nc 
want  unsupplied,  no  danger  unguarded,  and 
no  enemy  finally  unsubdued. 

This  is  our  Eedemption  in  the  glorious  Son 
of  God.  It  comes  to  us  as  the  unspeakable 
gift  of  God,  the  superabounding  riches  of  his 
grace.  "Blessed  be  the  Lord  which  hath 
not  left  us  without  a  kinsman  !"  He  might 
have  done  so,  and  made  us  to  reap  the  ways 
of  sin  in  the  harvest  of  eternal  death.  He 
has  not  done  so,  but  has  sent  his  own  Son  in 
the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  to  do  for  us  that 
which  in  the  weakness  of  our  flesh,  and 
in  the  helpless  poverty  of  our  ruin,  we  could 
never  have  done  for  ourselves.  Herein  is  love, 
the  love  of  God  for  us.  And  now  he  sends  us 
the  message  of  his  love,  the  intelligence  of  al] 
18* 


418  THE    RICH    KINSMAN. 

that  he  has  done  for  us,  and  asks  us  to  receive 
the  gifts,  and  to  "become  partakers  with  him 
of  life  and  everlasting  glory. 

The  Gospel  preaches  this  Eedemption.  to  us 
as  complete  and  finished.  It  proclaims  before 
us  its  gracious  invitation,  "  Come,  for  all  things 
are  now  ready/'  The  Holy  Spirit  comes  to  us, 
to  apply  to  us,  as  our  own  personal  possession, 
the  glories  which  this  great  Eedemption 
brings,  and  which  this  Gospel  proclaims.  He 
fulfills  his  gracious  part  of  this  great  covenant, 
in  opening  our  blind  eyes,  that  we  may  see 
our  own  need,  and  the  riches  of  the  Saviour's 
glory  ;  in  awakening  our  dull  conscience,  that 
we  may  feel  our  burden,  and  acknowledge  the 
just  condemnation  of  our  guilt ;  in  subduing 
our  proud  will,  that  we  may  consent  to  re- 
ceive as  a  gift  of  grace  that  which  we  can 
never  get  as  a  reward  of  works  ;  in  recalling 
our  affections  in  grateful  and  delighted  choice 
of  him  for  our  Friend  and  Saviour,  who  has 
proved  himself  so  worthy  of  our  love  ;  in  es- 
tablishing our  judgment  and  determination  in 


REDEMPTION    APPLIED.  410 

perfect  satisfaction  with  him,  with  our  union 
with  hiin,  and  with  his  service  for  our  obedi- 
ence, whatever  it  may  require  ;  in  strength- 
ening and  guiding  us,  that  we  may  continue 
faithful  to  him.  that  we  may  persevere  in  fol- 
lowing him,  that  we  may  bring  forth  fruits 
for  his  glory  ;  in  purifying  and  preparing  us 
in  an  increasing  devotion  to  our  gracious 
Kinsman,  for  his  own  presence  and  everlast- 
ing glory.  This  is  Eedemption  applied. 
This  is  an  interesting  of  us  personally  in  that 
great  work  of  love  which  the  Son  of  God  has 
finished  for  all  who  believe  in  him.  And  thus 
are  we  made  partakers  of  everlasting  bless- 
ings infinitely  better  than  all  that  earth  can 
give,  or  the  human  mind  has  power  to  con- 
ceive. 

And  now  the  whole  subject  comes  before 
you,  my  dear  young  friends,  in  the  distinct 
offer  and  invitation  of  this  redeeming  mercy 
addressed  to  yourselves.  The  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  having  finished  your  redemption  by 
his  death,  offers  to  you  the  full  glories  which 


420  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

he  has  purchased.  Just  as  Boaz  came  to  the 
lowly  habitation  of  Kuth,  to  lead  her  to  his 
own  home,  as  his  chosen  and  willing  bride, 
and  to  put  all  that  was  his  in  her  possession, 
so  does  the  gracious  Saviour  come  tc  you 
What  is  your  answer  to  the  Saviour's  appeal  ? 
How  are  you  ready  to  receive  the  offer  which 
he  makes  ?  How  have  you  already  received 
it  ?  This  sets  before  you  the  only  relation  in 
which  you  can  stand  to  his  redeeming  love. 
You  must  either  accept  or  refuse  the  offer 
which  he  makes.  You  must  either  comply 
with  or  reject  the  invitation  which  he  pre- 
sents. Your  acceptance  of  him  in  the  fullness 
of  his  love  is  your  own  free  choice — the 
simple  action  of  your  own  heart  and  will. 
Surely  the  Holy  Spirit  leads  you  and  enables 
you  for  this  choice.  But  the  choice  is  your 
own.  Just  as  free  in  your  experience,  and 
just  as  really  under  your  control,  while  you 
make  it,  as  any  other  choice  which  you  make 
in  life.  Will  you  then  choose  your  por- 
tion with  the  Saviour  ?     Will  you  cheerfully 


REDEMPTION    APPLIED.  421 

and  affectionately  accept  his  offered  redemp- 
tion, and  go  from  your  abode  of  lonely  pov- 
erty, to  be  with  him  a  partaker  of  his  grace 
and  glory  ? 

Blessed  and  happy  is  such  a  choice.  I 
may  truly  say  in  the  language  of  our  history, 
it  will  be  a  restoration  of  life,  and  a  nourish- 
ment of  your  old  age.  It  will  furnish  the 
happiest  enjoyments  of  earth.  It  will  fill 
your  mind  with  rest,  and  your  soul  with 
peace.  It  will  be  a  spring  to  you  of  constant 
joy  and  blessed  hope  in  your  present  life.  It 
will  be  the  source  to  you  of  durable  riches  and 
righteousness  for  a  life  to  come.  Let  me  en- 
treat you  not  to-  withhold  the  heart  which  the 
Saviour  seeks.  Go  with  him  cheerfully, 
thankfully,  at  once,  to  be  his  for  ever,  and  to 
serve  him  alone,  with  all  the  powers  of  your 
being,  and  in  all  the  opportunities  of  duty 
which  he  sets  before  you.  Let  nothing  sepa- 
rate you  from  his  love,  or  withdraw  your  con- 
fidence in  his  protection.  He  will  be  a  friend 
that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother.    He  wil] 


422  THE   RICH   KINSMAN. 

never  leave  you,  nor  forsake  you.  He  will 
cheer  your  hours  of  trial,  console  your  day? 
of  darkness,  encourage  you  in  your  con- 
flicts with  sin,  refresh  you  in  your  weari- 
ness under  your  burdens,  and  make  you 
more  than  conquerors  in  his  love. 

You  will  look  back  over  the  way  in  which  he 
has  led  you  with  increasing  gratitude.  And 
as  you  call  to  mind  the  darkness  of  your 
native  Moab — the  poverty  of  your  soul's  con- 
dition in  unpardoned  sin — the  gracious  way 
in  which  Jesus  welcomed  your  first  approach 
to  him — the  rich  rewards  which  he  has  given 
to  your  faith — the  comforts  and  hopes  which 
he  has  made  to  abound  toward  you — the 
blessed  anticipations  and  promises  which  he 
has  spread  before  you,  your  soul  will  every  day 
rejoice  the  more  in  your  portion,  and  joy  in 
the  Rock  of  your  Salvation.  Like  Ruth's 
royal  descendant,  you  will  many  a  'time  go 
to  bow  down  before  the  Lord,  and  say,  "  Who 
am  I,  0  Lord  God  ?  And  what  is  my  house 
that  thou  hast  brought  me  hitherto  ?     And 


REDEMPTION   APPLIED.  423 

this  was  yet  a  small  thing  in  thy  sight,  0 
Lord  God ;  but  thou  hast  spoken  of  thy 
servant's  house  for  a  great  while  to  come. 
And  is  this  the  manner  of  man,  0  Lord  God  ? 
And  what  can  David  say  more  unto  thee  ? 
For  thou,  Lord  God,  knowest  thy  servant." 
Happy  is  every  retrospect,  and  happier  every 
anticipation,  in  a  life  sincerely  devoted  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Happier  daily  as  it  draws 
to  the  close  of  its  probation.  Happiest  of 
all,  when  in  its  closing  hour  you  can  con- 
fidently say,  "  He  .  hath  made  with  me  an 
everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all  things 
and  sure  ;  for  this  is  all  my  salvation  and  all 
my  desire." 

And  may  I  not  now  say  with  truth,  happy 
shall  we  both  be,  if  by  this  contemplation  of 
Kuth  and  her  Kich  Kinsman,  any  of  my 
youthful  readers  shall  be  truly  led  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  say,  "Lord,  with  thee  only 
will  we  go,  for  thou  hast  the  words  of 
Eternal  Life  ?"  "  Let  us  be  glad  and  re- 
joice, and  give  honor  to  him ;  for  the  mar- 


424  THE    RICH   KINSMAN. 

riage  of  the  Lamb  is  come,  and  his  wife  hath 
made  herself  ready.  And  to  her  it  was 
granted  that  she  should  he  arrayed  in  fine 
linen,  clean  and  white  ;  for  the  fine  linen 
is  the  righteousness  of  the  saints.  Blessed 
are  they  which  are  called  unto  the  marriage- 
supper  of  the  Lamb."  Thus  will  he  that 
soweth  and  they  who  reap  rejoice  together. 
In  our  Father's  kingdom  we  shall  see  the  full 
glories  of  our  glorious  Kinsman,  and  the 
unspeakable  riches  of  his  inheritance  in  his 
saints.  We  shall  be  taught  the  new  song 
of  his  redeemed.  We  shall  rejoice  in  the 
everlasting  possession  of  durable  riches  and 
righteousness.  We  shall  look  back  from 
eternity  with  constant  thanksgiving  over  the 
way  in  which  he  led  us  to  find  our  shelter 
and  our  portion  in  his  presence.  And  our 
eternal  song  will  be,  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb 
that  was  slain,  to  receive  power  and  riches, 
and  wisdom  and  strength,  and  honor  and 
glory,  and  blessing  ;  for  he  was  slain,  and  has 
redeemed  us  to  God  by  his  blood  out  of  every 


REDEMPTION    APPLIED.  425 

kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation. 
Blessing  and  honor  and  glory  and  power  be 
unto  him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and 
unto  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever." 


THE    ENB 


